Rockwall man among 20 ‘Carnegie Heroes’ named for Extraordinary Heroism

(ROCKWALL, TX – Dec. 19, 2017) A 24-year-old father who attempted to save his 3-year-old son from a burning building, a 76-year-old who removed a man from a burning car, a teacher, an arborist, and two high school students are among the 20 men and women recently awarded the Carnegie Medal for outstanding civilian heroism. Seven individuals were honored posthumously in this class of Carnegie Heroes, including three who were attempting to rescue children.

The Carnegie Medal is given throughout the United States and Canada to those who risk their lives to an extraordinary degree while saving or attempting to save the lives of others. The heroes announced today bring to 77 the number of awards made to date in 2017 and to 9,991 the total number since the Pittsburgh-based Fund’s inception in 1904.

Commission Chair Mark Laskow said each of the awardees or their survivors will also receive a financial grant.

Throughout the 113 years since the Fund was established by industrialist-philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, $39.6 million has been given in one-time grants, scholarship aid, death benefits, and continuing assistance.

Hero from Rockwall

Frank B. Conselman saved a 32-year-old man and helped to save Robert S. Marchand from drowning in Pensacola Beach, Fla., on July 26, 2016.

Marchand, 36, and the 32-year-old man entered the waters of the Gulf of Mexico in an attempt to assist a woman and two children who were caught in a rip current. Marchand and the other man were also caught in the rip current and unable to reach the woman and children.

Conselman, 45, Rockwall, Texas, business owner, was alerted to the situation. He put on a flotation belt, obtained a kickboard, and entered the water. He swam approximately 225 feet to Marchand, who was barely above the surface of the water, shouting for help. Conselman gave Marchand the kickboard and then swam to the 32-year-old man, who was about 45 feet away.

Conselman grasped the man’s arm and swam toward shore, hampered by the waves and strong winds. Once Conselman had the 32-year-old man in wadable water he stood and pulled the man toward the beach. Another man came out and took the 32-year-old man from Conselman, who was able to exit the water on his own. A lifeguard swam out to Marchand and took him back to the beach.

Marchand and the other man were transported to a hospital where they were treated and released. Conselman swallowed water and was nearly exhausted after the rescue; he recovered in two days.

Submitted press release. For more, see http://www.carnegiehero.org/awardees/.

Our monthly print edition is delivered free to 19,000+ homes in Rockwall and Heath, TX.