PITTSBURGH — Math teacher David Benke, who tackled a gunman at a Jefferson County middle school in February, is one of 21 people being awarded a Carnegie medal for heroism today by the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission.
Benke heard what he thought was a firecracker in the parking lot at Deer Creek Middle School and went to see what it was. He found a man with a hunting rifle shooting at terrified students.
Benke ran and tackled the gunman, preventing what could have been a tragedy just 3 miles from Columbine High School, where two students shot and killed 13 people in 1999 before killing themselves.
Two students were wounded at Deer Creek Middle School. Bruco Strong Eagle Eastwood is accused of attempted first-degree murder and other charges; he has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.
Benke has received many accolades since the day of the shooting, including being honored by the School Safety Advocacy Council. He has received a new car, a ride with the Air Force Thunderbirds and honors from the Colorado legislature and state school resource and drug prevention officers’ groups.
The Pittsburgh-based Carnegie Heroes Fund was started in 1904 by steel baron Andrew Carnegie.
The Associated Press
