Newspaper carrier, teacher earn Carnegie Medal for heroism

BELLINGHAM – A Bellingham Herald carrier has been awarded a Carnegie Medal for heroism for rescuing a co-worker from raging floodwaters. A teacher from Lacey, Washington, was also honored for tackling and disarming a school shooter at North Thurston High School.

The Bellingham Herald reports 24 people from across the United States and Canada were given Carnegie Medals for selfless acts of heroism in attempts to save the lives of others.

Newspaper carrier Gary Spurling downplayed his award, saying he didn’t belong on a list with people who stopped gunmen.

The single dad has worked nights at the Bellingham Herald for 15 years, delivering newspapers by car. In the early morning hours of Nov. 29, 2014, he was in the newspaper office when an 82-year-old co-worker called on his mobile phone to say his car was floating in floodwaters. Spurling called 911 then sped over to find him and pull him out of his car.