Carnegie Medal Awarded to 16 Civilian Heroes
The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission honored 16 individuals for their extraordinary acts of bravery and civilian heroism.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Philanthropy
The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission has named 16 recipients for the Carnegie Medal, the highest civilian honor for heroism in the U.S. and Canada. The awards recognize extraordinary life-saving efforts, including those by individuals who acted during a fatal 2024 shooting incident.
Why it matters
These awards provide formal recognition and financial support to individuals who demonstrated exceptional courage in life-threatening situations. The grants serve to honor the legacy of civilian bravery and offer assistance to survivors of those who perished while saving others.
The Carnegie Hero Fund has awarded more than $47 million to recipients since the organization began operations in 1904. This latest round brings the total number of people recognized with the Carnegie Medal to 10,597 over the last 122 years.
The players
Carnegie Hero Fund Commission
This Pittsburgh-based organization manages the distribution of the Carnegie Medal and oversees financial grants for civilian heroism.
Jakaiden Rynearson
A 19-year-old individual who was posthumously honored for his actions during a shooting incident on Aug. 11, 2024.
Zaneta Winters
An individual who was posthumously honored following her involvement in the Aug. 11, 2024, shooting incident.
The details
Recipients include individuals involved in diverse life-saving rescues, ranging from the response to a shooting incident in August 2024 to an emergency on the Illinois River involving a mother and child. Survivors and living heroes receive a financial grant alongside the medal, with candidates for the honor nominated through the official organization portal.
Timeline
The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission began operations in 1904.
Jakaiden Rynearson and Zaneta Winters were shot on Aug. 11, 2024.
The 16 latest recipients were announced on Sept. 22, 2026.
Market Landscape
The organization continues a 122-year tradition of identifying civilian bravery that stands apart from standard public safety response. By maintaining this independent recognition process, the commission remains the primary authority for validating extraordinary life-saving acts across North America.
Members of the public can actively nominate individuals for the medal through the organization's website. This process provides a tangible path for communities to ensure that extraordinary acts of local bravery receive official recognition and financial support.
The takeaway
The recognition of these individuals highlights the significant, often spontaneous, role civilians play in saving lives during emergencies. These awards serve as a reminder that heroic action is not limited to professional responders and remains a critical component of societal safety.
Further reading
Learn more about the history and mission of this organization in our Philanthropy section.
More information
To submit a nomination or view award criteria, visit the Carnegie Medal nomination and information portal.
