Introducing Jerry Alkire, your BANK VI Hero of the Week!

Jerry Alkire received multiple nominations for an act of heroism that is credited for saving the life of a shooting victim that was involved in a domestic dispute.

Jerry, 32, was at home in the 1100 block of N. 10th on the afternoon of Friday, August 7th, when he heard gunshots nearby. Putting his own life at risk, he says he started towards the gunshots to see if he could help or assist and saw a female shooting victim, who he did not know, running towards him.

“She looked at me, and he followed right after with the gun, and she passed me and hid behind a van. I said a few words to him and he looked at me and didn’t say anything, he just started shooting,” Jerry said.

Jerry was shot in the thigh, which prevented the gunman from further shooting the female victim or the children that were in daycare at her residence.

Jerry then returned to his home and used a belt as a tourniquet on his leg to slow the bleeding. Thinking of the victim, Jerry ran back outside. “I saw that she was in critical condition and when I went down to look over her and talk to her and blood started coming out of my chest and I laid down next to her,” Jerry said. He stayed with the woman until paramedics arrived at the scene a short time later. He reassured her that they were going to make it.

Even after medics arrived, Jerry continued to think of the woman. Saying “help” over and over again, he says his thought process was not “help us”, but “help me to help her”.

Jerry and the female victim were both transported to Salina Regional Health Center. Jerry was released the following day, while the female victim remains hospitalized, but is expected to recover. The gunman took his own life at the scene.

Jerry says that he doesn’t feel like a hero, but like someone who just did something good.

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