City of Dixon issued the following announcement on Oct. 4.
Eight men came together to protect the students and staff at Dixon Public High School on May 16, 2018. On Monday night, eight men were honored together at the city council meeting.
They were many things that went right on May 16, 2018 when so many things could have gone horribly wrong. While many of us know and acknowledge Officer Mark Dallas' heroic bravery in the Dixon High School shooting, the stories of so many other heroes have not been told. City Manager Danny Langloss shared the stories of their brave and courageous actions from that day.
HONORING THOSE WHO RISKED THEIR LIVES DURING THE EVENT:
CITIZEN’S AWARD OF BRAVERY:
The Award Reads: “For your bravery and heroic actions during the school shooting on May 16, 2018. Your actions demonstrated the highest level of service before self. You risked your life to protect the lives of your students and staff.
ANDREW MCKAY was walking down the hallway that morning and was just outside of the gym doors when without warning multiple shots were fired at him from the shooter. He quickly followed the training all students and staff had received and immediately entered the gym to alert staff and students to get them to safety.
ATHLETIC DIRECTOR JARED SHANER was in the Athletic Director’s Office with Officer Dallas when shots rang out directly outside of the gym doors. Unarmed, he immediately exited the office with Officer Dallas to confront the shooter. He quickly followed his training and ensured every student and staff member were immediately being evacuated through the north side of the gym. After ensuring staff were getting students to safety, he completely disregarded his own safety. Not only did he re-enter the south hallway of the gym where shots had just been fired, he exited the front of the building to assist Officer Dallas. Since Dr. Grady was assisting Officer Dallas, he immediately made sure the school’s active shooter lockdown policy was put into action.
DR. MICHAEL GRADY was with the senior class for graduation practice in the DHS gymnasium when shots rang out directly outside of the gym doors. He quickly followed his training and ensured every student and staff member were immediately evacuated through the north side of the gym. While staff were getting students to safety, he completely disregarded his own safety. Not only did he enter the south hallway of the gym where shots had just been fired, he exited the front of the building to assist Officer Dallas. With shots being fired outside of the school, he made sure that Officer Dallas was not alone and he directed responding officers to Officer Dallas’ location.
AWARD OF BRAVERY:
STAFF SERGEANT KELLY BISHOP and SERGEANT BLAIR CRUM were sitting in their office at the Illinois Armory National Guard. They heard gunshots being fired from the area of Dixon High School. After seeing Officer Dallas chasing a man armed with a gun, they both exited the Armory facility and ran directly towards the incident to assist Officer Dallas. Both were unarmed. Ultimately, Officer Dallas was able to secure the subject.
HONORING THOSE WHO TRAINED OTHERS TO REACT DURING AN ACTIVE SHOOTER EVENT
OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP AWARD:
The plaque reads: “For your progressive vision, innovation, & leadership in training and preparing our police officers, school staff, and students for active shooter threats. Because of your leadership, no students or staff were injured during the May 16, 2018 incident.
So it is with most sincere hearts we say Thank You.”
Throughout SERGEANT MICHAEL WOLFLEY’S career he has dedicated his service to train others to prepare for the worst imaginable scenario, “Active Shooter”. Over the past 4 years, he has trained thousands of students in A.L.I.C.E., which is a specialized training to teach students how to respond during an active shooter incident. Sergeant Wolfley has been the driving force in creating Dixon Police Department contingency plans significant critical incidents, and he has trained hundreds of school staff and administrators on active shooter response. He has become one of the top experts in the State and because of his leadership and the brave actions of so many highly-trained people, including Officer Dallas whose training immediately took over, all of our students went home to their families safe and uninjured on this day.
SHERIFF JOHN SIMONTON has dedicated his service to train others to prepare for the worst imaginable scenarios, to include active shooter response, hostage situations, and other armed subject incidents. Since becoming the Sheriff of Lee County, he has become an incredible partner to the City of Dixon and all public safety agencies who serve Lee County. He created comprehensive active shooter scenario training for police, fire, and school staff with a focus on front line response and unified incident command. All of this training came to life on this day, and because of his leadership, our public safety and school teams performed to the highest level. The actions of these highly trained brave men and women allowed all of our students and staff to go home to their families safe and uninjured on this day.
MEDAL OF VALOR: OFFICER MARK DALLAS
The plaque reads “In recognition of the bravery you displayed on May 16, 2018 as the Dixon High School Resource Officer. In placing the safety of the students above that of your own you not only saved lives, you made your fellow officers, school administrators, and entire Dixon community very proud.”
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Original source can be found here.
Source: City of Dixon
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