Local : Van Nuys Man Gets Heroism Award

A Van Nuys computer science instructor who rescued a 29-year-old man from a knife attack was one of 19 people awarded the Carnegie Medal for heroism today. James Edward Fell, 34, was honored for saving Eulalio Castellanos from attack.

The commission that selects honorees said Castellanos had been stabbed several times and was trying to flee when Fell passed by in his car. Fell stopped, ran to the scene and struck the assailant, who then stabbed him and fled. Castellanos and Fell were hospitalized for their injuries and recovered.

The recipients, who come from 11 states and two Canadian provinces, bring to 7,313 the number of people who have been given the medal since the fund to honor heroism was established 85 years ago by industrialist Andrew Carnegie. Grants totaling $47,500 were given to the honorees.