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Danville Police Chief Tony Gray reads a commendation for officers Ryan Lipscomb, left, and Brian Adams, right, during a City Commission meeting Monday. The officers were recognized for their fast action following a shooting that killed two men and wounded another May 21 on High Street. (David Brock/dbrock@amnews.com / July 11, 2012) |
On May 21, as calls came into the Danville police station about gunshots fired on High Street, officers Brian Adams and Ryan Lipscomb were the first two on the scene of the double homicide.
At Monday’s Danville City Commission meeting, both were recognized for their actions that day that led to a quick arrest in the case.
Adams has been with the department eight years, and Lipscomb has been with the department for two.
“I want to recognize these two gentlemen for their outstanding work,” Police Chief Tony Gray told the commission.
According to Gray, Lipscomb is the officer who initially found the vehicle the suspect was driving, which helped locate the suspect later in the day.
Adams was the first officer on scene and rendered aid to a third shooting victim who survived. He was able to get an initial interview with the victim before the victim was transported to the University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center in Lexington.
“That interview was very critical in the arrest of the suspect,” Gray said.
Both officers received certificates of commendation. The certificate reads: “Officer Brian Adams and Officer Ryan Lipscomb, you are hereby commended for your exemplary performance on May 21, 2012. Your actions in responding to the shots fired called at 477 High St. resulted in the swift location of Thomas Hager Jr., and closure of a double homicide and attempted murder case. Your actions are in keeping with the mission of the Danville Police Department to safeguard life and property, and help minimize fear and crime. This type of police work is of quality magnitude of which the Danville Police Department builds its reputation, and is an indicator of the caliber of officer they are. We are proud to have you wear the badge of the Danville Police Department.”
Adams said everyone should get credit for the investigation, including state police, the crime unit, the sheriff’s office and Chief Gray.
“We can only accept this humbly on behalf of the rest of the guys, the first-, second-, third-shift guys that came in for overtime,” Lipscomb said. “The other agencies for cooperating with ... as well as just the training that we had leading up to that day.”
Adams said he is thankful for the award but doesn’t feel he deserved it.
“Anybody in this police department would’ve responded the same way,” he said. “So I kind of feel guilty for taking it. (But) like I said, I’ll take it and put it up in my office. It’ll remind me of why we do what we do.”
Lipscomb added the award is bittersweet, because you never want to accept something on behalf of a tragic situation.
Gray said the two men had the forethought to to do some things on the scene, and those things were critical to the case.
“Without those things done, we really could not have made the arrest in such a timely manner,” he said. “I think they need to be recognized for making those decisions in a very critical window of time.”
