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Missouri Medal of Valor by Gov. Jay Nixon in a ceremony in the state Capitol on Wednesday (Oct. 2). The officers will receive the medal for extraordinary acts of bravery and heroism in efforts to save the lives of Missourians during 2012.

The recipients included now retired Michael W. Vernon, of the Florissant Police Department (Officer Vernon was unable to attend) The following is commentary presented at the Medal of Valor ceremony.

Michael W. Vernon, Florissant Police Department – In the early morning hours of May 28, 2012, Florissant police officers responded to a residential burglar alarm call and discovered the rear door of a home had been forced open. Officers at the scene observed a suspect fleeing toward a shopping center. Officer Vernon responded to the shopping center and noticed an article of clothing near a dumpster. While investigating, he heard noise coming from the dumpster.

As Vernon turned toward the dumpster, the lid opened and a gunman fired multiple shots, hitting the officer in the right shoulder, lower left leg and the spinal cord, paralyzing him from the waist down. The suspect then fled on foot. Despite his extensive wounds and bleeding profusely, Officer Vernon managed to relay a detailed description and direction of travel to officers. They were able to seal off a nearby subdivision and capture the armed and extremely dangerous gunman. Officer Vernon remains paralyzed and has retired from the police department.

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