In 2007, he achieved international recognition when he saved Cameron Hollopeter, a film student who suffered a seizure and fell onto the tracks, from being struck by a New York City Subway train.

He received $5,000 cash and $5,000 in scholarships for his daughters from Jerry Sherlock, the president of the New York Film Academy where Hollopeter attends school.

[2] He was interviewed for several national morning news programs and was invited to be a television guest by David Letterman, Charlie Rose and Ellen DeGeneres, among others.

[9] On the January 9, 2007 airing of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, he was presented with a $5,000 Gap gift card, tickets and backstage passes to the next Beyoncé concert in New York, season tickets to the New Jersey Nets, a signed jersey from Jason Kidd, a brand new Jeep Patriot, two years' of car insurance from Progressive, and a one-year free parking pass for use anywhere in NYC.

[10] Autrey, a construction worker, was working on converting classrooms into a library at PS 380, John Wayne Elementary School, in Brooklyn.

As a token for his bravery, Chrysler donated a Jeep Patriot which was awarded to him (host Howie Mandel said it would have happened regardless of how Autrey fared in the game).

His courageous rescue of a complete stranger is a reminder of how we are surrounded by everyday heroes in New York City, and I am deeply honored to recognize one of them today.New MTA executive director Elliott "Lee" Sander thanked him as well, saying:[12] By selflessly leaping to the aid of a fellow New Yorker and performing a type of heroic act nearly unrecallable to the memories of veteran transit workers, Wesley Autrey has captured the spirit of our city.Sander presented Autrey with a year of free subway rides (in the form of 12 unlimited monthly MetroCards), plus various items of MTA merchandise for Autrey's young daughters.

With seconds to act, Wesley jumped onto the tracks, pulled the man into a space between the rails, and held him as the train passed right above their heads.

There is something wonderful about a country that produces a brave and humble man like Wesley Autrey.After Bush's remarks Autrey received a long standing ovation.

[18] In 2012, shortly after the fifth anniversary of his subway heroics, Autrey was featured on a CBS News story in New York City, which reported he was "a sought-after speaker" who still worked in construction and was raising his 9- and 11-year-old daughters.

He made the news again in December 2022 for winning a Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes for a Ford Bronco Wildtrak vehicle worth over $52,000.