Gov. Matt Bevin hosted a special ceremony at the Kentucky State Capitol to present two distinguished Kentuckians, Lori Doppelheuer Kearney of Maysville and Lou Scharold of Alexandria, with the Carnegie Hero Medal.
The Kearney Family
Established by industrialist Andrew Carnegie in 1904, this award recognizes individuals who risk their lives to an extraordinary degree in attempting to save others. Since its inception, 159 Kentuckians have earned this honor.
“While bittersweet, it is an honor and privilege to recognize Kentucky heroes like Lou Scharold and the family of Lori Kearney,” said Gov. Bevin. “These are powerful stories for all of us, and we are thankful for their heroism.”
Lori Doppelheuer Kearney, 35, died attempting to save her sons Christopher Kearney (age 10), Eagan Hargis (age 3) and Kieran Hargis (age 20 months) from fire at their Maysville home on Oct. 20, 2015. After being awakened by the fire, Lori helped four first-floor occupants of her house escape.
She then headed upstairs through dense smoke in an attempt to rescue her children on the second floor.
Lori was found on the floor of the younger boys’ bedroom, cradling Kieran with Eagan and Christopher lying nearby. All four had died of smoke inhalation.
The Scharold family with Gov. Bevin
Lou Scharold, 72, saved Rumpke truck driver Brian Ashcraft after his vehicle was struck nearly head-on by a pickup truck traveling the wrong direction on U.S. Highway 27 in Campbell County.
Despite intense heat, Scharold reached through the broken-out windshield of the refuse truck, grasped Ashcraft by the arm, and led him away from the burning vehicle to safety.
Ashcraft is still employed by Rumpke and in his 24th year of service and says he is “forever thankful” that Lou came to his rescue.
