Jackson County supervisor to receive Carnegie Hero medal

MAQUOKETA, Iowa — A Jackson County supervisor will receive a national heroism award for tackling an armed man in the county courthouse.

Larry “Buck” Koos, 55, of La Motte, was among 24 winners of Carnegie Hero medals announced Tuesday morning.

Koos tackled Francis Glaser, 71, after the man fired a gun at a county employee during a supervisors meeting in September 2014. Glaser fatally shot himself in the ensuing struggle.

“I’m just honored and humbled they would seek me out for this award,” Koos said.

Koos downplayed the hero designation, but he said he has learned to come to accept it.

“I don’t take the word lightly,” he said. “I humbly accept it and am just glad things worked out the way they did. In my opinion, a hero in my eyes is a fireman, policeman or member of the military. Those are the people who put their lives on the line every day and get up the next day and do it again. “

Koos said receiving the medal was “surreal.”

“I’m a regular guy, and a lot of people are put together like me and, if put in the same situation, would have done the same thing,” he said.

It marks the second time since December that Jackson County residents have been tabbed for the honor. (full article…)

BY THOMAS J. BARTON, Dubuque Telegraph Herald, March 23, 2016

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