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Flashback: Man Receives Carnegie Medal for Stopping Pit Bull Attack

Stops Attack with Belt
Pittsburgh, PA - On May 11th, 2006, it was reported that sixteen people were honored with Carnegie Medals for heroism. The Carnegie Hero Fun was established in 1904. The mission of the fund is to recognize persons who perform acts of heroism in civilian life in the United States and Canada, and to provide financial assistance for those disabled, and the dependents of those killed by their heroic act.

Kenneth LeRoy Joseph, 56, of Albany, Oregon was cited for rescuing two women in March 2005 from a pit bull. The dog was attacking Barbara Miller, 56, and Rita Baker, 56, but Joseph used his belt to pry the dog off Miller's arm and secure the dog until authorities could kill it. Others honored included a New York state trooper, Anthony LaRock, 34, who reached into a burning vehicle to rescue two motorists in 2004.

The Pittsburgh-based Carnegie Hero Fund Commission meets five times annually to choose heroes, who are brought to its attention through newspaper clips or tips on its website. Recipients, or their survivors, get a bronze medal and $4,000. Industrialist Andrew Carnegie started the hero fund in 1904 after being inspired by rescue stories from a mine disaster that killed 181 people.

Since the fund was established, 8,997 people have received medals and $28.6 million has been given in one-time grants, scholarship aid, death benefits and continuing assistance.

Related articles:
08/02/08: Hero Stories: Honoring Those Who Have Stopped a Deadly Pit Bull Attack