He has spent much of his life as a longtime employee of Santa Anita. Race fans who go to the Arcadia track have likely caught a glimpse of him at least once, especially when horses are in the walking ring prior to post time. Known as the Paddock Captain, John Shear is also a hero, and his heroic act came at that very location one day in 2011.

Before that time, however, and even before he became part of Santa Anita, Shear