Resource officer recognized for helping disarm gunman

In February 2013, a gunman entered Chelsea Middle School.

Immediately after hearing the news, School Resource Officer and Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputy David Morrow rushed from his post at the front of the school to the gymnasium, where the gunman was seen.

There, he and Principal William Harper learned the gunman was holding five female students against their will in the girls’ locker room. Over the course of the next few minutes, Morrow helped talk the gunman into releasing the students and surrendering.

"His constant presence on campus and his knowing the school and how to quickly reach the locker room helped have he and the principal in a position to control the situation within 20 seconds," Sheriff Chris Curry said last year.

Thanks to his actions, no one was injured in the incident. And last week, in a surprise presentation during a pep rally, Curry presented Morrow with the National Sheriff’s Association’s Medal of Valor.

According to a release, Morrow joins a small crowd of Medal of Valor recipients, as only about 20 are awarded annually. People are presented with the Medal of Valor nationwide for “an act of outstanding personal bravery, intelligently performed, in the line of duty at imminent personal hazard of life.”

“This is a very, very big shock, but it’s a great honor,” Morrow said in the release. “I wouldn’t want to relive last year, but I’m thankful that you guys, the staff and students, were prepared enough to know what to do in a time of crisis. I appreciate you very much.”

Chelsea resident Ryan Michael Sims, 22, was charged in the incident last year with kidnapping and making terrorist threats. He remains in the Shelby County Jail.