ATLANTA - A Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team officer assigned to that unit's office on the campus of Georgia State Patrol Post 6 in Gainesville has received the Valor Award.
Trooper 1st Class 2 Steve Thompson of the Georgia State Patrol is assigned to the SCRT unit and received the Georgia Department of Public Safety Valor Award, the highest award presented by DPS to a sworn member who has displayed courage and fortitude and has performed a duty well beyond that which would reasonably be expected in a tense or emergency situation, at the same time placing his or her own life in jeopardy.
Thompson received one of five Valor Awards presented for 2015.
"On June 8, at approximately 8 a.m., a lone gunman drove into the Georgia State Patrol Post 6 Gainesville parking lot with the intent, by his own admission, of entering the post as an active shooter," according to information from DPS. "Trooper 1st Class 2 Thompson was outside of his vehicle at the adjacent SCRT office when the shooter pulled into the parking lot. The gunman exited his vehicle with a high-powered 30.06 rifle and fired a single shot into the air."
Thompson's reaction to neutralize that situation is what earned him the Valor Award.
"Trooper 1st Class 2 Thompson took cover and gave verbal commands for the shooter to drop his weapon," according to DPS. "When the assailant refused to comply, Trooper 1st Class 2 Thompson fired his duty weapon once, striking the gunman in the shoulder, diffusing the situation. Trooper 1st Class 2 Thompson then approached, disarmed and handcuffed the suspect. Trooper 1st Class 2 Thompson stated he elected to engage with a single shot vice multiple shots due to heavy motor vehicle traffic on GA 11 behind the gunman. As a result of Trooper 1st Class 2 Thompson’s actions, the gunman never made entry and no one else was injured."
Other DPS members honored with the Valor Award include Trooper 1st Class Justin Henderson, Trooper 1st Class Jeremy Battle, Trooper 1st Class Brian Screw (received two Valor Awards), and Sr. Trooper Kevin Carswell.
