Medal of Valor
November 25, 2012 14:18
The State (Columbia, SC)
February 27, 1997
Section: NEIGHBORS 5
Edition: FINAL
Page: 1
DEPUTY EARNS SHERIFF'S FIRST PURPLE HEART
BOB STUART, Staff Writer
A Lexington County sheriff's deputy who was shot and wounded while stopping the robbery of a West Columbia pizza parlor by two teens late last year has been honored as the department's first Purple Heart winner.
Sgt. Dan Jennings also received the Medal of Valor award. He received both honors from Sheriff James Metts at a ceremony Feb. 18.
Jennings was wounded in the left ankle and left leg while defending himself against the two 16-year-old suspects at Papa John's on Platt Springs Road Dec. 15. Jennings wounded both suspects.
Responding to a 911 call, Jennings found the robbers clad in pillow cases and armed with a shotgun and rifle. The suspects were robbing three employees.
Jennings covered one of the suspects. The other was captured at Lexington Medical Center after a search by deputies.
Jennings, who now works as the sheriff's school-resource coordinator and coordinator of the DARE program, was humble in accepting the award.
"We all receive the same training. We have outstanding firearms instructors,'' he said. "Any officer would have reacted in a similar fashion.''
Jennings, who had only moments to respond to the situation, called the shooting incident "every cop's nightmare.''
But he said it is important for law officers to take the firearms training seriously and be prepared. "Complacency kills,'' Jennings said.
The retired Army captain is working on a master's degree in criminal justice. He is a five-year veteran of the Sheriff's Department.
Jennings still is recovering from his injuries. He still has pellets in his left ankle and lower leg but says he "is getting around better.''
Bob Stuart covers law enforcement. He can be reached at 771-8405.
Copyright (c) 1997 The State
February 27, 1997
Section: NEIGHBORS 5
Edition: FINAL
Page: 1
DEPUTY EARNS SHERIFF'S FIRST PURPLE HEART
BOB STUART, Staff Writer
A Lexington County sheriff's deputy who was shot and wounded while stopping the robbery of a West Columbia pizza parlor by two teens late last year has been honored as the department's first Purple Heart winner.
Sgt. Dan Jennings also received the Medal of Valor award. He received both honors from Sheriff James Metts at a ceremony Feb. 18.
Jennings was wounded in the left ankle and left leg while defending himself against the two 16-year-old suspects at Papa John's on Platt Springs Road Dec. 15. Jennings wounded both suspects.
Responding to a 911 call, Jennings found the robbers clad in pillow cases and armed with a shotgun and rifle. The suspects were robbing three employees.
Jennings covered one of the suspects. The other was captured at Lexington Medical Center after a search by deputies.
Jennings, who now works as the sheriff's school-resource coordinator and coordinator of the DARE program, was humble in accepting the award.
"We all receive the same training. We have outstanding firearms instructors,'' he said. "Any officer would have reacted in a similar fashion.''
Jennings, who had only moments to respond to the situation, called the shooting incident "every cop's nightmare.''
But he said it is important for law officers to take the firearms training seriously and be prepared. "Complacency kills,'' Jennings said.
The retired Army captain is working on a master's degree in criminal justice. He is a five-year veteran of the Sheriff's Department.
Jennings still is recovering from his injuries. He still has pellets in his left ankle and lower leg but says he "is getting around better.''
Bob Stuart covers law enforcement. He can be reached at 771-8405.
Copyright (c) 1997 The State
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