SRU graduate student receives Carnegie Medal for civilian heroism

Sgt. David Duffey, a Slippery Rock University graduate student majoring in criminal justice, received the Carnegie Medal for saving a man’s life while driving back to campus on Oct. 16, 2022.

Sept. 29, 2023

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. — The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission has awarded Sgt. David Duffey, a Slippery Rock University graduate student majoring in criminal justice, the Carnegie Medal, North America's highest honor for civilian heroism. A native of Midway, Duffey earned the recognition for his act of bravery in saving a truck driver's life on Oct. 16, 2022.

While returning to Slippery Rock after his Army National Guard weekend training, Duffey was driving on the Pennsylvania Turnpike near Irwin when he witnessed an accident and intervened. He pulled the driver, Shune Moore, out of the burning cabin of his truck seconds before it exploded. More information and video of the incident was documented in an article on the SRU website.

"I'm thankful to receive this award but I give all the glory to God for the safe outcome on that day," Duffey said. "Reflecting on my experience and looking at the stories of the other award recipients, I consider it an honor and blessing to be recognized and included in this group."

Duffey was among 16 individuals recognized by the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission during the third quarter of 2023, all of whom risked serious injury or death to save others in acts of extraordinary heroism.

The Carnegie Medal is awarded to individuals throughout the U.S. and Canada who enter extreme danger while saving or attempting to save the lives of others. Duffey is one of 10,387 individuals who have received the Carnegie Medal since the inception of the Pittsburgh-based Fund in 1904.

Each of the recipients or their survivors will receive a financial grant. Duffey's grant is $7,500. Throughout the 119 years since the fund was established by industrialist-philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, nearly $45 million has been given in one-time grants, scholarship aid, death benefits and continuing assistance.

More information about the Carnegie Medal is available online at carnegiehero.org.

MEDIA CONTACT: Justin Zackal | 724.738.4854 |  justin.zackal@sru.edu