Justin Garner did not join the state highway patrol because he wanted to stay on his small hometown’s police force. In just five years, he’d already been named Officer of the Year.
When a call came in on a gunman who was shooting up a nursing home, Garner was the only one on duty and without any fear, and any backup, he simply went there to do a job.
He had a .40-caliber Glock pistol. He entered the building to confront the mad shooter, Robert Stewart, 45, in the hallway. But, before he could fire, he was already shot 3 times in his foot and leg. However, Garner fired his weapon once and hit Stewart in the chest.
A day later, Garner’s name was there all over the place. “The most fearless officer” they all said.
“If that’s not heroism, I don’t know what is,” said Police Chief Chris McKenzie, who later added: “You can train all you want to, but it comes down to whether you have what it takes.”
“This is one of the few instances nationwide where the lone officer took care of the bad guy,” said Minzghor, who’s also a police officer.