Koos Honored with Carnegie Medal

MAQUOKETA, Iowa — Emotions ran high Tuesday morning when a Jackson County supervisor received a national award for his courage in tackling a gunman two years ago.

Larry “Buck” Koos, of La Motte, was presented the Carnegie Medal during a ceremony at Hurstville Interpretive Center in Maquoketa. Several attendees had tears in their eyes during the ceremony.

The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission recognizes people who perform acts of heroism in civilian life. In September 2014, Koos tackled a gunman after the man fired a shot at then-County Auditor Deb Lane as she was leaving a supervisors meeting in the county courthouse.

While on the ground, the gunman fatally shot himself. Koos was injured in the struggle.

“I would hope I would do it again today if the need arose, but I don’t know if I could,” Koos said after the ceremony.

Others who were present on the day of the shooting offered their deep thanks to Koos, commending his bravery and humility.

“To me, Buck was our hero that day,” said Supervisor Jack Willey “I can’t fathom what could have happened that day if it wasn’t for him.” (full article…)

BY JOHN KRUSE, Dubuque Telegraph Herald, September 28, 2016

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