[zacharycohn]

Did you read the article?

> Macko jumped into the rough waters in a remote Palos Verdes gorge and pulled a man to safety through potentially skull-crushing swells and over razor-sharp rocks.

[syspec]

Did you read the article?

> The 2020 Medal of Valor winner, Edward “Nick” Macko, an ocean lifeguard specialist, earned “only” $134,144 in compensation.

[throwaway0a5e]

Most lifeguards will never be put in a situation like that hence why he was officially recognized for going above and beyond.