Petaluma man wins national hero award

PITTSBURGH — A Petaluma man who helped rescue a neighbor whose apartment was afire was among 25 people awarded Carnegie medals on Thursday for their heroism.

Steven J. Gies, 43, was credited in rescuing Cathy M. Rappa, 49, who was unconscious after the fire broke out Aug. 16, 2007. Rappa died two days later of smoke inhalation.

The Pittsburgh-based Carnegie Hero Commission awarded the medals to a diverse group. Of the 25, some died while trying to rescue people and others were injured in their attempts.

Dominique Chatman, 24, of Baton Rouge, La., and his father, Gregory J. Carson, 43, of Slidell, La., died Sept. 11, 2007, while trying to rescue two women from drowning at Miramar Beach, Fla. The two women were holding onto a small surfboard, struggling to return to the beach, when they called for help.

Chatman, Carson and another man swam out to the women, who ultimately reached safety. Chatman and Carson drowned.

Steel baron Andrew Carnegie launched the hero fund in 1904 after hearing about rescue stories from a mine disaster that killed 181 people. Since then, $30.9 million has been awarded to 9,224 people.

The recipients, or their survivors, receive $6,000 in addition to the medal. The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission meets five times annually to choose honorees.