Bill Badger died the age of 78 morning of pneumonia at Wednesday , according to his wife , Sallie Badger . Badger was shot in the head at a constituent event on January 8 , 2011 for Rep. Gabby Giffords , who was the target of gunman Jared Loughner . But Badger managed to tackle Loughner , helping others hold him down and disarm him before police arrived . Loughner is serving seven consecutive life terms in prison . Badger joined the National Guard as a high school junior and went on to have a long , distinguished career as an Army pilot for 37 years .
Bill Badger died Wednesday morning of pneumonia at the age of 78 , according to his wife , Sallie Badger . Badger was shot in the head at a constituent event on January 8 , 2011 for Rep. Gabby Giffords , who was the target of gunman Jared Loughner . But Badger managed to tackle Loughner , helping others hold him down and disarm him before police arrived . Loughner is serving seven consecutive life terms in prison . Badger joined the National Guard as a high school junior and went on to have a long , distinguished career as an Army pilot for 37 years .