Richard Joseph Camp

Richard Joseph Camp helped to save an indeterminate number of people from assault, Long Beach, California, March 5, 2010. A man armed with a revolver entered a bank, approached a teller window, and demanded money from the teller. A customer at the window, Camp, 39, general contractor, moved to a point about 10 feet away but remained present, as did several other customers and bank employees, as the robbery attempt ensued. When the assailant started to mount the counter, Camp rushed him from behind, grasped him, and took him to the floor. They struggled for control of the gun, which the assailant fired repeatedly, striking Camp once in his right thigh. Despite his wound, Camp continued to struggle against the assailant, disarming him and throwing the revolver aside. Another male customer secured the weapon and then joined in the struggle to subdue the assailant by pinning his legs. When they discovered that the assailant was armed with a second gun, Camp seized it and sent it across the floor. Police arrived shortly and arrested the assailant. Camp was treated at the hospital for his gunshot wound, which required surgery a month later.