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- calendar_today November 10, 2026
Ebro Ahmed Recognized for Heroic School Bus Rescue
Ebro Ahmed was officially honored by the city of St. Paul and its Fire Department Monday for his decisive action in saving 19 middle school students and their bus driver from a runaway school bus incident. The recognition ceremony took place at St. Paul's Fire Station 7, where Ahmed was greeted with applause and support from local officials, community members, and his family.
The Incident: Averted Tragedy on St. Paul’s East Side
Last month, while standing outside his family's business, Ya Bricks Snacks and Tobacco on St. Paul's east side, 27-year-old Ahmed noticed a troubling scene: a school bus with its door open and the driver apparently experiencing a seizure. Reacting quickly, Ahmed ran after the moving bus, jumped aboard, and engaged the emergency brake to bring it to a stop.
His actions prevented what could have been a serious accident involving the bus full of Battle Creek Middle School students and their driver.
Heroism Award and City Recognition
During the ceremony, Ahmed shook hands with St. Paul assistant fire chief Jeramiah Melquist and received the Heroism Award from the St. Paul Fire Department. The St. Paul City Council passed a resolution earlier in the week to formally acknowledge Ahmed’s "extraordinary bravery, quick thinking and selfless actions." The city also declared Monday as Ebro Ahmed Day in his honor, a proclamation delivered personally by Mayor Kaohly Her.
"You are the epitome of what our city of St. Paul stands for," Mayor Her said during the event. "When we must come together and do big things, we do that. But every single day, we are stepping up to make a difference in people's lives." Ahmed was also presented with a certificate of congressional recognition from U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum's office.
Community and School District Tributes
St. Paul Public Schools Superintendent Stacie Stanley offered heartfelt remarks during the ceremony, emphasizing the impact of Ahmed’s intervention on the lives of the students. "As superintendent, I know that each one of those 19 students has a destiny," Stanley stated. She noted the vital futures ahead for the students Ahmed saved, suggesting they might one day serve their community as doctors, firefighters, police officers, or even mayor.
Ahmed has also received previous honors, including the Hero Award from the Human Development Fund of St. Paul and a $1,000 gift from media maker and philanthropist Sheletta Brundidge.
Ebro Ahmed Reflects on His Actions
At the ceremony, Ahmed expressed gratitude to his family, community, and his faith, noting his desire to bring positive attention to Minnesota. "Anything to make Minnesota look better," he said. "I know we've been getting beat up in the news lately, so hopefully people can look at us differently." He also said he is enjoying the positive attention but recognizes it may be fleeting, adding, "I'm definitely enjoying my fame for a little bit. We'll see how long this lasts, but you know, I'm gonna enjoy it until it's over." Ahmed plans to meet with the students he saved later in the week.
A Day of Celebration and Gratitude
The ceremony at Fire Station 7 brought together city officials, public safety leaders, educators, and community members in a show of appreciation for Ahmed’s heroic deed. City council member Cheniqua Johnson also gave remarks, further highlighting the community’s pride in Ahmed’s actions. The event concluded with Ahmed opening the official proclamation from Mayor Her, commemorating November 9 as Ebro Ahmed Day in St. Paul.
Source: mprnews.org.
