Honored for actions he took during a shooting incident
By 2nd Lt. James W. Killen, 123rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
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Staff Sgt. Brent Reichardt, an aircraft hydraulics specialist in the Kentucky Air National Guard's 123rd Maintenance Squadron, was awarded the Medal of Valor from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office on Feb. 20, 2015, for actions he took during a shooting incident at a Louisville, Ky., high school in 2014. Reichardt, who works full-time as a Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputy, is currently deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of airlift operations across the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility. (Photo courtesy Jefferson County Sheriff's Office)
KENTUCKY AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A Kentucky Air National Guardsman has been awarded the Medal of Valor from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office for actions he took during a shooting incident at Fern Creek High School last year.
Staff Sgt. Brent Reichardt, an aircraft hydraulics specialist in the 123rd Maintenance Squadron here, works full-time as a Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputy and school resource officer. He was on duty at Fern Creek High School Sept. 30 when a student pulled a gun during an altercation with a classmate and shot another student in the abdomen before fleeing the scene.
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Staff Sgt. Brent Reichardt, an aircraft hydraulics specialist in the Kentucky Air National Guard's 123rd Maintenance Squadron, was awarded the Medal of Valor from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Feb. 20, 2015, for actions he took during a shooting incident at a Louisville, Ky., high school in 2014. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Maj. Dale Greer)
As the first officer to respond, Reichardt’s split-second decision-making helped save the life of Javaughntay Burroughs and ensured that other students were safely evacuated from the last known location of the suspect, officials said. Reichardt also facilitated the arrival of back-up officers and eventually helped locate the suspect.
Jefferson County Sheriff John Aubrey said Reichardt exemplifies a man of character.
“It takes a special type of person to serve as an SRO and to work with kids and to know what to do when they are in danger,” Aubrey said. “For going above and beyond the duties in his position, Deputy Reichardt was presented the Medal of Valor.”
Reichardt expressed his surprise about receiving the award, which was presented during a ceremony at the Sheriff’s Office Feb. 20.
“I feel like I was doing my job,” he said. “My security team there is fantastic; they make my job so easy. Without them, I would not have been awarded this medal, so the credit really belongs with them.”
The Medal of Valor is presented to deputies who demonstrate bravery, perseverance, initiative and dedication to duty in the face of imminent personal danger.
One day after receiving the award, Reichardt deployed to the Persian Gulf to continue serving his community as an Air National Guard maintainer. When asked how his service as a school resource officer compared to his service in uniform, Reichardt said, “Core values are core values. Integrity is a big part of being a deputy, and ‘integrity first’ is one of our Air Force Core Values. It is my pleasure to serve our community with integrity, not just here at home, but overseas, too.”
The alleged shooter has been indicted on multiple charges, including assault in the first degree. The victim is currently recovering from his injuries.