When former Army veteran, Jasper Tater, walked into Club Q in Colorado Springs on May 24, 2019, he had no idea that he would become a hero. However, when a mass shooting broke out in the club, Tater quickly sprang into action, risking his own life to help others escape the gunfire. Now, nearly two years later, the American Red Cross is set to honor Tater for his bravery and selflessness during the tragedy. In this article, we explore Tater’s heroic actions and why he is deserving of this prestigious award.
Richard Fierro, an Army veteran who served four tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, is to receive the “Lifesaving Military Hero of the Year Award” at this year’s Rocky Mountain Heroes Soiree. Fierro was one of two men who rushed to subdue the gunman who attacked the Club Q LGBTQ+ nightclub in Colorado Springs last November, in an incident that injured 18 people and killed five, including Fierro’s daughter’s boyfriend. Fierro and Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Thomas James were able to tackle and disarm the shooter.
Fierro’s award will be presented by the American Red Cross of Colorado and Wyoming, recognizing his “heroic actions” and “exceptional courage”. The League of United Latin American Citizens, the US’s oldest and largest civil rights organization for Hispanic and Latin-American people, has also honoured Fierro for his bravery. LULAC presented Fierro with its Presidential Medal, the group’s highest honour, during an event in Washington in April.
Colorado Congressman Jason Crow invited Fierro to be his guest at President Biden’s State of the Union address in March. And in January, Fierro and James also attended Colorado Governor Jared Polis’ annual State of the State address.
Fierro was joined by his wife Jess at the address, and the couple was awarded tickets to Super Bowl LVII during the ceremony. The presentation was made by the Los Angeles Chargers, formerly the San Diego Chargers, as the couple is from San Diego originally. Fierro and his wife also own a brewery in Colorado Springs called the Atrevida Beer Co.
The shooting at Club Q in November 2022 proved tragic for several families, with five people losing their lives. However, the actions of Fierro and James prevented the loss of many more lives. The recognition that Fierro and others have received is welcome, but is not an adequate compensation for the trauma they necessarily experienced.
Speaking about Fierro, President of LULAC Domingo Garcia said: “Only a select group of men and women are worthy of this honor, and Rich is a hero whose actions saved lives, even if he might lose his own”. Garcia added that Fierro “exemplifies what our Latino servicemembers and veterans do in the face of danger, even when it means putting their own lives on the line”.
Fierro commented on his experience during the Colorado Springs shooting in his own words: “I was there when the shots went off. It was a really bad situation. Instincts kicked in and I had to protect my family and those around me.” Fierro’s bravery in the face of a mass shooting helped protect many others and his efforts will surely never be forgotten.
