Erik Opal

Erik Opal rescued Chad J. Opal from assault, Council Bluffs, Iowa, December 23, 2025. Opal, 42, was in his driveway with two of his children when he smelled a smoky odor from the neighboring vacant house, which he also owned. After unlocking and opening the front door, he found a man inside, sitting on a living room couch. After a brief exchange, Opal retrieved his phone and dialed 911, and the man lunged at him, striking him in the mouth with a 5-inch hunting knife, knocking out multiple teeth. The assailant further stabbed Opal, then Opal grasped his clothing and threw him from the porch of the vacant house. The assailant then stabbed Opal again. Opal shouted that he had been stabbed and advanced toward the street for help. Opal’s son, Erik, 16, high school student, was in his bedroom in the family’s house and heard Opal screaming outside. Erik called 911 as he left his house and responded. Seeing Opal and the assailant struggling near the street, and the assailant striking Opal with stabbing motions, he ran to them and tackled the assailant, allowing Opal to free himself. As the assailant struggled with Erik, Opal laid on the assailant’s legs and held them down until police responded and took the assailant into custody. Though Erik believed the assailant to have been armed, police later stated the assailant’s knife was found on the other side of a fence next to the vacant house, at least 50 feet away. Opal suffered multiple stab wounds, requiring hospitalization, and underwent dental surgery. Erik sustained a cut to his arm but did not require treatment. He recovered.