This happened to our friend’s son earlier this year. He was a valued worker at Lowes here in South SF, Ca. A thief was trying to push a cart out the door with expensive merchandise, and a senior worker (in his 70’s) was trying to stop the thief but senior worker got assaulted. Friend’s son stepped in to help his co-worker and fought with the thief, managing to stop the assault on co-worker. They got fired for their efforts. So much for trying to help the Lowes company; they don’t support their staff.
I don’t think stopping the assault on a coworker should be ground for dismissal.