Marine Corps veteran James Kilcer who was caught on film last week stopping an armed robber with his bare hands was given a valor award for his heroism by local law enforcement on Tuesday. At the ceremony, Kilcer wore a red “Make America Great Again” hat and a shirt that read “Let’s Go Brandon,” the popular G-rated euphemism for “F—k Joe Biden.”
According to a press release, the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office hosted a recognition ceremony on Tuesday for Kilcer after he jumped into action when an armed robber entered a Chevron gas station convenience store in Yuma, Ariz.
“Sheriff Leon Wilmot presented Mr. Kilcer the YCSO Citizen’s Valor Award ‘For extraordinary heroism and exceptional courage while voluntarily coming to the aid of another citizen during an incident involving criminal activity at extreme, life threatening, personal risk in an attempt to save or protect human life,’ the release stated. “The YCSO Citizen’s Valor Award is the highest award for citizens whose actions warrant recognition.”
Also in attendance were the American Legion Post 19, Marine Corps League Territorial Detachment 635, Chevron General Manager, and the Yuma community.
Last week, Kilcer described the incident in an interview with Fox News. At the end of the segment, the hero Marine said, “And remember: Epstein didn’t kill himself.”
“I turn around to go and leave, kind of walk out and as I’m turning around I hear the door kind of open real aggressively,” Kilcer said. “At that point, the ‘spidey senses’ tingled a little bit.”
Kilcer said he saw three masked individuals enter the store, but only the group’s apparent leader was armed.
“I saw two other guys with no other weapons and decided that’s the guy that I’m going to hit,” Kilcer continued.
Kilcer said the store’s clerk was “a little worked up” but still jumped over the counter to pursue the other suspects who fled the scene on foot.
As the interview was ending, Fox News host Dana Perino asked viewers to buy the Marine veteran an “energy drink” or “a beer if you want one,” to which Kilcer responded, “Yeah, I’ll take a beer, please.”
After Perino thanked Kilcer, he responded, “And remember: Epstein didn’t kill himself.”
After Kilcer thwarted the gas station robbery, deputies contacted him to discuss the incident. When asked how he managed to stop the armed robber, the Marine responded, “The Marine Corps taught me not to [mess] around.”
