Sacramento State Planning Honors For Student Who Helped Stop Train Attack

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) -- Anthony Sadler will return for classes at Sacramento State, but the first few days will probably be different with classmates wanting to hear the train hero's story first hand.

Sacramento State president Robert Nelsen said the campus is overwhelmed learning Sadler is set to return to school this year, a kinesiology senior but also a hometown hero.

"Hiding or sitting back is not going accomplish anything," said Sadler.

Sadler and his childhood friends, Airman Spencer Stone and National Guard member Alek Skarlatos from the Sacramento area proved they could not sit back in the face of danger.

The three friends who tacked a suspected gunman and saved the life of a wounded victim were awarded France's highest civilian award, the Legion of Honor by French president Francois Hollande.

Airman Spencer Stone was perhaps the most injured of the three; his thumb had to be reattached.

Stone's father said he could not be more proud of his son, but also incredibly grateful.

"We're all ecstatic, but we're mostly all ecstatic that Spencer is OK, I mean he could have been killed.  For him to end up in this situation and prevailing, and not dead and none of his friends dead, it's just so wonderful. It's just unbelievable," said Brian Stone.

Sacramento State University officials say they are eager to celebrate Sadler but want to talk to him first before planning anything.  President Nelson said tuition offers are already coming in to help Sadler pay for his last year of classes.