Story of a Catholic Hero

Newark Catholic grad to be honored for heroism at Texas Motor Speedway

NEWARK -- Last December, Columbus police officer and Newark Catholic grad Jim Niggemeyer stormed into the Alrosa Villa in Columbus and ended a shooting spree by a deranged fan that left a popular musician and three others dead.

Today, he will be honored at the NASCAR Busch series O'Reilly Challenge at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas. Through a partnership of the Fraternal Order of Police and Smith and Wesson Racing, Niggemeyer will be an honorary crew chief for the race.
[Entire Story]

Officer Niggemeyer was the first to respond to the incident and without any backup, he ended it some three minutes and stopped the gunman with just one shot, saving further casualties as the gunman held a hostage in a headlock armed with dozens of rounds of ammunition. Now, that's what I call courage (risking his own life to save others), skill, quick-thinking and quick-acting -- all characteristics of a true hero.
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