Erie County Sheriff Timothy B. Howard announces Deputies John Dunn and Shane Miller have been awarded the Governor’s Certificate of Exceptional Valor for their actions during an August 5, 2018 incident in Springville, where a subject entered a store with a gun.
The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) selection committee meets each year to recognize and honor the service of law enforcement officers from New York. The DCJS notified Sheriff Howard that the Deputies were nominated and selected to receive the certificate for exceptional valor and forwarded the awards.
“I am proud of the men and women who serve under my command, and the actions of Deputies Dunn and Miller during this tense and stressful incident deserve recognition and commendation,” said Sheriff Howard. “These Deputies personify the dedication and professionalism of the Erie County Sheriff’s Office and demonstrate law enforcement officer’s dedication to preserving the public’s safety by going toward danger to protect innocent citizens.”
For their quick and professional actions in disarming the assailant and preserving the safety of the innocent bystanders, Deputies Dunn and Miller are honored with this prestigious award.
The Incident:
At approximately 10:20 p.m., the Deputies responded to the Country Fair convenient store and gas station for reports of a male in the store with a sawed-off shotgun.
The armed subject entered the store, and when he exited, he confronted the Deputies. The Deputies gave multiple police commands to drop the gun, but the assailant refused and kept advancing toward the Deputies.
At this time, the Deputies discharged their service pistols striking the armed subject.
When the gunman arrived and entered the store, there were approximately twelve customers and employees at the store, and none of the innocent bystanders were injured despite the assailant discharging his weapon.
Comments