Jackson Police Chief, Julian Wiser, honored a current officer and a former officer of the Jackson Police Department will Medals of Valor Monday, according to a Monday afternoon news release from the Jackson Police Department.
The release said Jackson Police Officer Bobby Locke and former Jackson Police Officer Michael Thompson both responded to 238 Summar Drive (Pathways) in response to a 911 call to Central Dispatch regarding a man stabbing a Pathways’ employee November 24, 2016. These responding officers encountered an armed suspect who was actively stabbing an employee of Pathways who was also eight months pregnant.
Officer Thompson reacted without regard for his own safety by arming himself with a Taser. Officer Locke was forced by circumstances to utilize his department issued firearm in defense of the other officer, the Pathways’ employee and her then unborn child.
Both officers displayed exceptional bravery while exposed to an imminent threat of serious bodily injury or death, the release said. Their heroism, in confronting an armed subject with an already demonstrated capacity for deadly violence, exhibited courage above the call of duty.
Officer Locke risked his own life in honorable pursuit of saving others. Due to his immediate actions and selfless bravery, many lives were saved that day. These officer’s professionalism, unwavering courage, and exceptional dedication to the citizenry of Jackson, Tennessee are in keeping with the finest traditions of law enforcement and reflect great credit upon themselves and the Jackson Police Department.
