With so many stories of school shootings hitting headlines in recent months, it’s refreshing to hear about one that was stopped dead in its tracks before any damage was done.
Vice President Mike Pence praised the “heroic actions” of Illinois school resource officer Mark Dallas who thwarted a shooting on Wednesday morning at Dixon High School.
When former student, Matthew Milby, opened fire, Dallas immediately took action, succeeding in shooting and wounding the gunman.
“With shots ringing out in the hallways of the school, he charged towards the suspect and confronted him, head-on. Because of his heroic actions, countless lives were saved,” said Dixon Police Chief Steven Howell.
When the 19-year-old fled the school, Dallas chased him down. Milby continued shooting at the officer while he fired back, eventually wounding the perpetrator, according to Howell.
The suspect was hospitalized after sustaining non-life threatening injuries. He will be transferred to jail after his release and face three charges of aggravated discharge of a firearm, as well as potential additional charges.
“A tragedy was averted today in Dixon because a police officer put his life on the line to protect his fellow citizens,” said the executive director of the IL Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council. “The officer’s actions at the high school will be closely scrutinized, but the simple fact is, nobody but the gunman was hurt today, and keeping students and teachers safe is the primary job for school resource officers.”
“Another example of the brave work performed by law enforcement each and every day,” the Vice President added on Twitter. “Lives were saved thanks to the heroic actions of school resource officer Mark Dallas.”
Praise God for quick-thinking heroes Like Officer Dallas whose bravery in the face of danger certainly saved the precious lives of many.
