Officers recognized for outstanding service

Sheriff Jerry Keller recognized several officers Thursday morning at a Commendation Ceremony for their outstanding contributions to Metro Police.

Officers Grant Graan, Darren Heiner, Salvatore Mascoli, Joseph Pannullo and Robert Schmidt received the Medal of Honor for their efforts Nov. 10 to negotiate with an employee of a chemical plant at Apex who drove a front-end loader on a rampage that killed a plant supervisor and destroyed buildings and vehicles. The officers held their positions within a few feet of the machine, but negotiations failed to stop the man. He was shot dead to protect other lives and property.

Officers Eric Fricker, Kelly Korb and Kendall Wiley received the Exemplary Service award for researching the possibility of a mounted police unit. The officers traveled more than 12,000 miles, interviewed and observed 11 mounted police units and researched safety equipment, housing and deployment strategies.

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