St. Paul Honors Ebro Ahmed for Stopping Runaway School Bus

“Anything to make Minnesota look better,” Ebro Ahmed said during a ceremony Monday, noting that he hopes his actions might change how people view the state following recent negative news coverage, according to MPR News.

The 27-year-old was honored by the city of St. Paul and the St. Paul Fire Department for his role in preventing a major accident involving a school bus last month.

On Oct. 19, Ahmed was working outside his family’s business, Ya Bricks Snacks and Tobacco, on the east side of St. Paul, when he witnessed a Battle Creek Middle School bus rolling down the street with its doors open, CBS News reported.

Man who rescued kids on runaway school bus credits his Muslim faith

Ahmed noticed the driver appeared to be experiencing a medical emergency, which caused confusion as to why the bus door was open. He ran after the moving vehicle, leapt through the open door, and managed to put the bus in neutral and pull the emergency brake to bring it to a halt, according to reports from both MPR News and CBS News.

A city celebrates a local hero

The St. Paul City Council passed a resolution last week to officially recognize Ahmed’s actions. On Monday, Nov. 9, the city proclaimed the day “Ebro Ahmed Day” during a ceremony held at St. Paul’s Fire Station 7, as reported by MPR News.

Pkg school bus honored — Photo: cbsnews.com

Mayor Kaohly Her attended the event to announce the proclamation and express her gratitude. She stated that Ahmed is the epitome of what St. Paul stands for, adding that his actions remind the community that everyday citizens have the ability to protect their neighbors and inspire those around them, according to CBS News.

City Council member Cheniqua Johnson also spoke at the ceremony, stating that the council honors Ahmed for his “extraordinary bravery, quick thinking and selfless actions” on the day of the incident, according to CBS News.

“If I were to let him drive away, I wouldn’t be human,” man who stopped runaway St. Paul school bus

“As superintendent, I know that each one of those 19 students has a destiny. They will be our next doctors. They will be our next fire people. They will be our next police officers. They may be our next mayor; one of them. They may have my job, and you saved the destiny of 19 young people.”

St. Paul Public Schools Superintendent Stacie Stanley shared those words during the ceremony, emphasizing the long-term impact of Ahmed’s intervention on the 19 middle school students and the bus driver who were on board, according to MPR News.

Recognition from multiple levels of government

In addition to the city’s proclamation, Ahmed received several other honors for his quick response. He was presented with the Heroism Award from the St. Paul Fire Department and a certificate of congressional recognition from the office of U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum, MPR News reported.

Hero JUMPS onto runaway school bus to save 19 children

Jeramiah Melquist, the assistant chief of operations for the St. Paul Fire Department, noted that Ahmed’s actions serve as an inspiration to the community, according to CBS News.

Ahmed has also received local support through the Human Development Fund of St. Paul, which granted him the Hero Award, as well as a $1,000 gift from philanthropist and media maker Sheletta Brundidge, MPR News reported.

Honoring Saint Paul Hero Ebro Ahmed

Regarding the sudden attention, Ahmed told MPR News that he is enjoying the fame for a short time but remains focused on his community. He also shared a personal philosophy with CBS News, stating, “If you can save one person, you can save the whole world. That’s what I live by.”

Ahmed is scheduled to meet with the students he saved this coming Wednesday, according to MPR News.