Largo Firefighter Honored For Actions in Knife Attack

Nick Rees, a Largo firefighter who along with his brother and another man intervened when a bartender was attacked with a knife in May, received a National Medal of Honor for Valor on Tuesday night.

The three men were recognized for their heroic actions at the Red Lion bar the night of May 19 during a ceremony at the start of the City Commission meeting.

Interim Largo Fire Chief Shelby Willis talked about the trio's bravery prior to presenting the men with their awards.

"All three individuals are very humbled by these events," she said.

"They certainly don't consider themselves heroes, but we certainly do."

That statement was met with thunderous applause and a lengthy standing ovation as the three men stood in front of the room.

The Rees brothers and Arnold, who did not know each other prior to that night's events, were all hanging out at the Indian Rocks Beach bar when 50-year-old James Klingbeil, who had been turned away from the bar earlier, returned with a filet knife and began to attack bartender Rebecca Shaeffer.

The trio immediately intervened, with all three suffering various injuries in the melee.

By the time police arrived, Klingbeil had been subdued and, according to Shaeffer, a life had potentially been saved.

"I am so grateful for you guys, each and every one of you," the diminutive Shaeffer told the three men. "Without you guys there, I might just be a memory."

"I've thought about all the different ways it could have gone that night, and I'm so glad it turned out the way it did."

Following another round of applause, Willis presented the men with their awards.

Nick Rees received the National Medal of Honor for Valor — not to be confused with the award given to military service members — that is for public safety workers and which "rewards national acts of bravery, intentionally resembles the National Medal of Honor and is awarded under similar circumstances," according to Willis.

Gordon Rees and Mike Arnold both received Meritory Service awards, which also resemble the National Medal of Honor but is presented to civilians.

Afterward, Nick Rees expressed relief all the accolades are over.

"It's amazing to get recognized for what we did ... but it was hard standing up there," he told Patch.

Related:

• Deputies: Man With Fillet Knife Attacks Bartender, Injures 3 More