Last year, an Ohio man with a concealed carry permit saved police officer Michael Wheeler’s life from the hands of a meth addict. On Wednesday, Wheeler, who serves in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, awarded his hero the city’s Citizen Award of Valor, Inside Edition reports.
The assailant, who later admitted to authorities he had been strung out on meth for several days, had been sleeping on a woman’s porch without permission when Wheeler confronted him. He attacked Wheeler, pinning him to the ground, and began grabbing at his belt in an attempt to get the officer’s gun. Wheeler, whose shoulder microphone was ripped off during the confrontation, was unable to call for backup.
During the struggle, Wheeler looked up and saw Dylan DeBoard, who announced he had a concealed carry permit and was pointing his weapon at the assailant. While the homeless man was distracted, Wheeler was able to get out from under him and handcuff him.
“I wish a lot more of society would do what he did,” Wheeler said. “There were people standing around, but they were just watching. I kept wondering why people didn’t do anything.”
Wheeler told Inside Edition that he often visits DeBoard at his home to thank him.
“Every time I see him, I let him know how much I appreciate what he did,” Wheeler said.
