Man who thwarted Utah restaurant gunman is 1 of 19 honored with Carnegie Heroes Fund awards

Carnegie Heroes Fund honors 19 with medals, money

PITTSBURGH — A Utah man who wrestled a gun away from an escaped prison inmate at a fast food restaurant is one of 19 people being honored for heroism by the Pittsburgh-based Carnegie Heroes Fund.

Eric Fullerton wrestled the gun away from the inmate at a Salt Lake City Arby’s in 2007. Fullerton’s bravery allowed restaurant employees and customers to escape and the prisoner was caught by police.

Fullerton and the others are being honored Thursday.

Steel baron Andrew Carnegie was inspired to start the fund in 1904 after hearing rescue stories from a mine disaster that killed 181 people. More than $32.7 million has been awarded to 9,391 people. Medalists, or their heirs, receive $6,000.