The Carnegie Hero Fund has honored Jaclyn Roge and Kennedy Armstrong with its prestigious Carnegie Medal for their bravery in saving Madison Schemitz from a brutal stabbing attack last year.
A Life-Saving Intervention
Schemitz, a former Ponte Vedra High School softball player, was attacked by her ex-boyfriend Spencer Pearson outside Mr. Chubby’s Wings.
- Roge, her mother, fought to pull Pearson away, suffering stab wounds to her forehead, hand, and leg.
- Armstrong, a bystander, sprinted 160 feet and tackled Pearson, restraining him despite being stabbed multiple times, including an injury that severed an artery.
Schemitz, who was stabbed 17 times and left partially paralyzed, recovered enough to walk across the stage at her graduation in June.
A Heroic Recognition
“Without my mom and Kennedy, I would not be alive today,” Schemitz said. “I am eternally grateful and so proud to watch them receive this award.”
Pearson, who attempted to take his own life after the attack, is scheduled for sentencing next month.
