John Shear will be recognized by CSFA with Medal of Valor
Posted 11/10/11 – Sierra Madre resident John Shear will be presented with the California State Firefighter’s Association’s Medal Of Valor on Monday at 11:30am at the Sierra Madre Fire Station, 242 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. The Medal of Valor is awarded to individuals that voluntarily risk their own life to an extraordinary degree in saving or attempting to save the life of another person, or voluntarily sacrificed themselves in a heroic manner for the benefit of others.
In March of this year, Shear, at the age of 90-years old, threw himself between a 6-year old girl and a 3-year old gelding named Sea and Sage that had broken loose at Santa Anita Park, where Shear has been employed since December of 1961. The little girl was fine, Shear suffered multiple pelvic fractures, a fractured cheekbone, and gashes above his left eye and on his left arm. Shear was hospitalized for more than a month
Overnight, Shear’s story filled the radio and television airwaves, and his story appeared in hundreds of print media. He was named Hometown Hero in the Sierra Madre 4th of July parade. On October 1st, Santa Anita paid tribute to Shear, designating one of that day’s races “The John Shear Hero Purse.”
The public is invited to attend the ceremony at the Fire Station.