The University of Texas calls them 'tower heroes', and honored them Friday for helping victims from one fateful day in August 1966.

Friday, men who risked their lives to help others during the
University of Texas sniper shooting were honored.

The university dedicated a county building in south Austin that houses the Justice of the Peace and Constable's office to the 'tower heroes'.

"We really wanted to be recognized for it," Former officer Jerry Day said. "And this is the height of recognition and I'm proud of it. It is a great honor to be here today, and I appreciate all
the support that we've had."

The sniper, Charles Whitman, killed 14 people and wounded dozens more in an hour and half, before he was killed by Austin Police Officers Ramiro Martinez and Houston McCoy.

"A group of civilians, law enforcement officers went up there
and took care of the situation," Event Organizer Forrest Preece said. "It's about time, 42 years later, we actually said thanks to them with an official plaque on a building."