Oregon District mass shooting: Ned Pepper’s bouncer recognized as a hero

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

The hulk of a man who will forever be remembered as the Ned Pepper's bouncer who was shot while shielding patrons during the mass shooting in the Oregon District was put in the spotlight again -- this time to be rewarded for his heroism that fateful morning of Aug. 4.

>> Complete coverage: Oregon District mass shooting

Friday night, the Modern Woodmen of America presented Jeremy Ganger its "Hometown Hero" award for the actions he took less than 20 minutes after checking the shooter's ID outside the East Fifth Street bar.

Jeremy Ganger is the one in the surveillance footage taking the gun from the dead shooter's hands. Jeremy Ganger is the one grabbing people from harm's way as slugs whizzed by him at the doorway.

"I would have died before he came and hurt anyone else," Ganger told News Center 7's Monica Castro on Friday night.

"I was grabbing as many people as I could. Yelling, get inside, get inside," he said.

Ganger was given the award at the Rockstar Pro Arena on East Third Street in Dayton, where he sometimes participates -- as a wrestler.

He had not intended to wrestle on this night. But he jumped to answer when someone challenged his honor.

Ever ready for a scrap, Ganger was at it again -- in the ring -- bouncing an opponent off the mat.

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