JPD awards Gallantry Medal to three officers for bravery during active shooter incident

(From the Joplin Police Department)

For their action in 2016 the Joplin Police Department bestowed the Gallantry Medal award to three officers; Detective Jason Francis, Officer Adam Brannin and Captain Rusty Rives.

This award is being given to these officers for the actions they took during the response to an active shooter incident that took place in August of 2016. I what to recognize these officers for their individual actions on that day. It is important to note that as the suspect was fleeing back towards his first shooting scene, Detective Francis removed the driver from the vehicle and shielded him from potential gun fire. And, although the

suspect had fired several shots in several directions, Sergeant Rives and Officer Brannin never failed or faltered in their pursuit of a mobile active shooter and were eventually able to take him into custody.

Sergeant Rives, Officer Brannin, and Officer Francis placed the safety and well-being of the community above their own in a situation that was dangerous to their lives. It is because of their actions that Tom Mourning was stopped and taken into custody before more innocent members of the public were injured or possibly killed.