COLUMBUS, Ohio– On August fourth in Dayton, nine innocent people lost their lives in the Oregon District. The mass shooting lasted all of 32 seconds but was stopped by the quick response from the Dayton Police Department. For their heroic actions, those six officers were recognized in Columbus.

The officers were recognized as the Outstanding Peace Officer of the Year from the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association. David Denlinger, Vincent Carter, Jeremy Campbell, Ryan Nabel, Brian Rolfes, and Sgt. Chad Knight are the officers recognized for their bravery. 

Their swift actions stopped shooter Connor Betts in his tracks as he attempted to enter the Ned Peppers bar in Dayton. 

“It’s this type of bravery, this type of bravery that’s exhibited by police officers, and especially these officers every single day as they routinely face danger in order to protect us in our communities,” Montgomery County Prosecuting Attorney Mathias Heck said. 

“Their remarkable response saved an untold number of lives,” Dayton Chief of Police Richard Biehl said. “Clearly from all those who gathered in Ned Peppers, in an effort to seek safety, and not realizing that they were going into a den of potential harm. A few seconds could have changed all of that. 

Biehl said he’s proud of his officers for being prepared, well-trained, and highly engaged in an extremely high-pressure situation. 

“Almost no lapse in time and literally running, not trotting, running into the fire, it was just phenomenal,” he said. “Everyone who has witnesses that video or watched it cannot believe how vigorously and immediately they ran toward gunfire trying to stop this tragedy.”

“We’re proud that we were able to do such a good thing in a bad time,” Sgt. Chad Knight said. “I thank God every day that I had the guys I had with me right now. They’re the best in the world.” 

Knight said the officers are doing fine now four months after the shooting, but things will never truly be the same. 

“Down in the Oregon District, it’s like a family everyone down there is healing. Everyone is coming back to the businesses, and I think we’re all doing fine.” 

Happy they were able to act so quickly to save as many lives as they could.