In July, seven people were shot at a party in Florence. On Tuesday, Florence officials commended four Florence police officers and a Boone County sheriff’s deputy for their actions during the indents.
The officers responded to the shooting that occurred on July 6, which left four people dead. In a press conference shortly after the incident, Florence Police Chief Jeff Mallery said, “We have never dealt with this before. I know it’s gone on throughout the nation, but this is the first time that we’ve had a mass shooting in Florence.”
Sergeant Michael Gonterman, officers Tyler Jackson and Hunter Jacobs for the Florence Police Department, and Boone County Deputy Troy Greenlee each received a Life Saver Award on Tuesday for their work in the incident. Florence Police Detective Keith Guidice received a letter of commendation for his work on the case.
Florence Police Chief Jeff Mallery recounted the details of what happened and how the officers responded. The shooter opened fire at a birthday party for a 21-year-old, killing four people and injuring three more. The officers, he said, Â responded quickly and professionally to an active scene with very little information beyond a description that people inside the residence had been shot.
“Some [residents] were not breathing, and the sheriff was still there at the front door,” said Mallery. “Officer Jacobs and Deputy Greenlee pulled a gunshot victim out of the house. Deputy Greenlee tended to her wounds. With disregard for their own safety, three Florence officers entered the residence to search for the shooter and more victims.”
Mallery went on to describe how the officers found and attended to additional victims with multiple gunshot wounds.
“The selfless acts demonstrated by Sergeant Gonterman, Officer Jackson, Officer Jacobs and Deputy Greenlee, resulted in three victims surviving,” said Mallery. “The heroic, selfless action was taken that morning by these officers saved lives. These officers exemplify professionalism, commitment to duty, and they truly are guardians of our community. So please join me in recognizing and thanking them.”
After presenting the award to the officers, Mallery asked Guidice to come forward. The detective was the lead investigator in the case.
“Detective Guidice conducted himself with absolute professionalism and demonstrated a remarkable ability to show empathy and compassion as he investigated the scene and engaged with the families affected by this tragedy,” Mallery said. “Despite the horrendous nature and violence of this incident, Detective Guidice demonstrated to other officers the very definition of calm amidst chaos. Detective Guidice’s dedication and outstanding performance of duty reflects great credit upon himself and the Florence Police Department.”
Mallery noted that some of the surviving victims were in the audience to honor the officers for their service. He read the names of the deceased victims: Shane Miller, Hayden Rybicki, Delaney Eary and Melissa Parrett, and called for a moment of silence to remember them. He then presented the awards and commendations to the officers in attendance. (Deputy Greenlee was unable to attend the meeting.)
The chief took the opportunity to thank the Boone County Sheriff’s Office and several county agencies, medical facilities and support organizations who helped victims and officers during and after the incident.