Teacher Who Disarmed A Student And Hugged Him Will Receive The Medal Of Honor Citizen Honor

April 1, 2020

Last May, Keanon Lowe disarmed a student and then hugged him in the hallway of the Oregon high school where he coached football.

For his bravery and compassion, the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation has announced that he will receive the 2020 Single Act of Heroism Award.

Lowe is one of six citizen honorees chosen by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.

While Medals of Honor are awarded to members of the US military, Lowe and the other citizen honorees "exemplify the values embodied in the Medal of Honor: courage, sacrifice, commitment, integrity, citizenship, and patriotism," the society said.

 

Surveillance footage captured Lowe disarm a student with a shotgun and then hand the firearm to a nearby faculty member.

Then, Lowe wrapped the student in his arms and held him close.

"I feel like I was put in that room for a reason. You know, the shooter didn't -- he didn't know that I was in that room when he opened the door and I think there are things in my life that have prepared me for that very moment," Lowe said. "I thank God that no one got hurt and I thank God I was in that room."

The student confessed he was only planning to take his own life before Lowe intercepted him. He was later sentenced to three years of probation and mental health treatment for bringing a weapon to school.