PITTSBURGH — Only 18 Americans are receiving one of the highest civilian honors and one of them is from here in Pittsburgh. Deacon Clarence McCallister jumped in front of a loaded gun to save his pastor’s life.
On Tuesday, Clarence McCallister a husband, father and church deacon earned a new title: hero. The Carnegie Hero Fund recognized him with the highest civilian honor and medal.
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“If I ever see an opportunity to help somebody, I’m just built like that, that’s my nature, I’m going to help them,” said Clarence McCallister on Tuesday morning just hours before receiving his honor.
On May 5, that opportunity came during a Sunday morning church service. McCallister was running the church’s livestream when police said a gunman walked to the front of the service, aimed his weapon at the pastor and then pulled the trigger. The gun jammed and McCallister leaped over the alter and tackled the gunman to the ground.
“He didn’t hesitate, and he risked his life to save another individual without obligation to do so,” said Eric Zahren, the President of the Carnegie Hero Fund.
Zahren told Channel 11News McCallister was the only local honoree.
“Clarence McCallister exhibited the very best of what it means to be a Pittsburgher, a member of this community, and a member of the human race. He exemplified the idea that we are all in this together,” Zahren said.
Pastor Glenn Germany whose life was likely saved by McCallister’s selfless action was present at Tuesday’s award ceremony to honor his friend.
“To this day I really don’t understand how he did it,” he explained.
Germany told us he is still shocked by the incident, but he was never surprised by how McCallister rose to the occasion.
“That is who he is,” Germany said.
We asked McCallister if he would do it again, and his answer is what makes him a hero:
“I would definitely do it again, it would be an honor,” he said.
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