Two men who took the law into their own hands to save others received honors
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The surveillance video showing Greg Jerri attacking a masked man who was robbing a Fresno Starbucks last June has been seen around the world. Jerri was among those honored today at the Fresno County Citizens Awards Ceremony.
"He made it his lot in life to protect innocent lives at the risk of his own life and for that, we want to recognize Greg for his heroic bravery and provide him with this award," said Chief Jerry Dyer.
Greg Jerri was stabbed in the neck during the fight, but got the knife away from the robber, and stabbed him with it. The robber also had a gun but was unable to reach it. He was arrested by police and hospitalized. In a real twist-- the robber has threatened to sue Jerri for his injuries because of the possible litigation his attorney advised him not to talk about the incident.
Greg Jerri is an American hero. Another hero honored here was Jimmy Turner.
He stopped a gang shootout in the parking lot of an auto parts store last June. While bullets were flying around his car he told his children to get on the floor, pulled out his own gun, and held the shooters until police arrived.
"I don't know if it was the smartest thing to do, I just worried more about my children than anything else I didn't want anybody else to get hurt and I didn't want them to get away. They had already gotten shot at by somebody else and they were shooting at somebody two other guys were down, I didn't want anybody else to get hurt," said Turner.
"Again another citizen who's gone above and beyond and done something very heroic, congratulations Jimmy," said Dyer.
Twenty-four awards were issued. Some of the others include Jeff Finley of Clovis, who saved a four-year-old girl from drowning.
Isaiah Salas of Coalinga who pulled an injured woman from a car before it burst into flames and Jorge and Daniel Martinez who helped a highway patrol officer stop a young man from committing suicide. These awards are an annual event.
