La Vergne Declares Tuesday 'Caleb Engle Day'

LA VERGNE, TN — La Vergne declared Tuesday "Caleb Engle Day" in honor of the hero usher who is credited with stopping further bloodshed during the September 24 shooting at Burnette Chapel Church of Christ in Antioch.

Engle, 22, was pistol-whipped by alleged shooter Emanuel Samson, who police say killed one woman and injured seven other people, including Engle. Engle, an usher at the church and lifelong member, went to his carry and retrieved his personal handgun and subdued Samson, holding him at bay until police arrived.

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Though lauded as "extraordinarily brave" by Metro Police Chief Steve Anderson and called a hero by Mayor Megan Barry and others, Engle has downplayed his role. “I do not want to be labeled a hero. The real heroes are the police, first responders and medical staff and doctors who have helped me and everyone affected," he said after the shooting.

In a statement announcing the proclamation, the City of La Vergne said "Engle comes from a family with a long line of community service, and the Engle family is well known here in our city. His grandmother and father both served La Vergne as city employees, and Caleb himself once called La Vergne home.”

Image via City of La Vergne