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Medal of Valor

The Medal of Valor is the highest award the department may bestow upon an officer. It is given to an officer who performs an exceptionally courageous act with extraordinary decisiveness and presence of mind as an attempt to save or protect human life without regard to his or her safety.

The Medal of Valor is presented by the Chief of Police at the annual awards banquet.

The first and only recipient of the Medal of Valor is Officer Abbott for his extraordinary decisiveness and presence of mind during August of 2005. His actions brought about swift action in an attempt to protect his life and the life of another officer during what started out as a routine traffic stop of a speeding motorist which turned very hostile.

Officer Abbott had responded to assist a fellow officer when the suspect, who had been undergoing field sobriety tests, suddenly fled to return to his vehicle. The suspect did not comply with the officers attempts to remove him from his vehicle and instead, used his vehicle to harm the officers.

After being pinned by the suspect vehicle, Officer Abbott feared for his own life and that of his fellow officer who had also been struck and run over, when the suspect began driving toward him. Officer Abbott then drew and fired his weapon at the suspect.

The incident ended when the suspect crashed into a support pole at a local business. Both officers were hospitalized for injuries sustained. Officer Abbott remained on medical leave for more than eight months as a result of his injuries.