Buffalo security guard recognized posthumously with Ralph Day Memorial Security Officer Heroism Award

The late Aaron Salter, Jr., an Allied Universal security professional and retired police officer who made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting shoppers at a Buffalo, N.Y., grocery store during a mass shooting, is the recipient of the 2022 Ralph Day Memorial Security Officer Heroism Award.

The award will be accepted by his son, Aaron Salter III, on Sept. 13 in Atlanta at the 2022 GSX conference hosted by ASIS International.

The Ralph Day award “is meant for those that perform a heroic act that involves circumstances where a private security officer risks their life to protect or save lives and/or property. The award nominee must be an employee of a contract security company employed as a security officer,” according to the ASIS website. This is the first time the award has been conferred posthumously.

The mass shooting occurred on May 14, resulting in the deaths of 10 people, including Salter.

Salter fired multiple shots at the attacker, who was wearing body armour. Salter’s actions slowed the assault, giving others time to move to safety, and he was subsequently praised by Buffalo police as a “true hero.”

“We admire Aaron Salter, not just for his heroic actions in May, but for the heroic life he lived protecting and serving the community for over 30 years,” said Steve Jones, global chairman and CEO, Allied Universal, in a company statement. “I have been inspired and proud to see the outpouring of support for Mr. Salter’s family from the Allied Universal team, the Buffalo Community and others.”

Aaron Salter III established a GoFundMe page in honour of his father to help his family with this unforeseen tragedy.