HARRISBURG, SD (KELO-AM) The assistant principal at Harrisburg High School, Ryan Rollinger has been named one of just 21 Carnegie Heroes nationwide for 2016.
Rollinger helped save his principal from further harm from a gun-wielding student last year.
He says he is humbled to be in such select company.
"I read some of their bios today, so some rare air, and like I said that's probably what makes it so humbling," Rollinger tells KELO Radio News.
During the 112 years of its existence, the Fund has awarded 9,914 medals. Only about 10 percent of those nominated are selected. The medal was founded in 1904 by wealthy industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie to honor persons who perform acts of heroism in civilian life.
Back in September of 2015, Harrisburg Principal Kevin Lein was shot by a student. He received only a flesh wound, but it could have been much worse if Rollinger and Athletic Director Joey Struwe hadn't quickly pushed the armed teenager to the ground and held him until police arrived.
"I can remember the day pretty vividly," Rollinger tells KELO Radio, "I remember it being more of a reaction than it was a thought, in the heat of the moment,.."