While vacationing in Gulf Shores, Ala. during fall break of 2017, Steve Wahler, 47, died while rescuing a 12-year-old boy from the Gulf of Mexico.
According to the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission website, Wahler and Bradley Murphy, 21, entered the water after the boy, who was playing in the rough surf, was carried 100 feet from the shore by a rip current. With waves 5 feet high breaking close to the shore, the boy’s mother asked the two men to rescue her son.
Wahler reached the boy, placed him on a boogie board and pushed the board toward shore, but a breaking wave separated them. The boy’s mother was able to reach her son and guided him back to shore, but Wahler was carried further into the ocean.
Murphy swam toward Wahler and appeared to reach him before both men submerged. Wahler, a 23-year employee of the Messenger-Inquirer as IT manager, and Murphy, a landscaper, both died during the rescue.
The boy was examined by medics, but was not injured.
The Owensboro Board of Commissioners will present the Carnegie Medal Tuesday to Tami Wahler, Steve’s wife of 19 years, during their meeting.
“The Carnegie Medal is given throughout the United States and Canada to those who risk their lives to an extraordinary degree while saving or attempting to save the lives of others,” according to a media release from the City of Owensboro.
Mike Stickler is the current IT manager at the Messenger-Inquirer said Wahler’s heroic act was within character. He remembers his colleague as a tireless employee and father, noting that despite the long hours Wahler worked, he still found time for his family.
“It’s called no greater sacrifice for a reason,” Stickler said. “He put his life on the line for someone else.”
Stickler took Wahler’s place after his death.
“I had a very large set of shoes to fill,” he said, noting that he has constant reminders of Wahler throughout his workday.
“There are so many systems that Steve had his stamp on,” Stickler said. “I get notifications all the time with this name on them.”
Stickler said that when he sends out emails to staff regarding IT updates and notifications he ensures that Wahler’s name is not on them.
“I don’t want to stir up that loss,” he said. “It is still felt quite keenly around here.”
Since the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission’s inception in 1904, more than 10,000 medals have been awarded. Awardees or their survivors also receive a financial grant.
“Throughout the more than 115 years since the Fund was established by industrialist-philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, $40.8 million has been given in one-time grants, scholarship aid, death benefits, and continuing assistance,” the City’s release said.
The City commission meeting will take place at 5 p.m. in the Commission Chambers, located on the fourth floor of City Hall, 101 E. 4th Street, Owensboro, KY. The public is encouraged to attend.
