BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. (828newsNOW) — When an armed man entered a Black Mountain restaurant and began threatening people, four men didn’t run.

They stepped in.

Christan Maloney, Phillip Whiting, Andrew Kolvers and Jones Thompson tackled the man, wrestled away his gun and held him until police arrived, according to the Black Mountain Police Department.

On Monday, the four men were recognized by the Black Mountain Town Council with Citizen Medals of Valor for their actions during the July 2 incident at Trailhead Restaurant.

Police Chief Chris Parker told council the award is a rare one. In his 34 years in law enforcement, Parker said he had presented the award only once before.

The incident began when a restaurant employee was threatened and left the restaurant to call police. Around the same time, officers received a report of an active shooter or active assailant entering the restaurant, according to information presented to council.

Police said the four men confronted the armed man, tackled him and wrestled the weapon away before holding him until officers arrived.

The police department described their actions as brave and selfless and thanked the four men for stepping in.