Thursday, July 10, 2014
Officers Honored For Service During Armed Robbery
Four officers with the Lawrenceburg Police Department were honored Thursday for their exceptional work during a recent armed robbery at CVS Pharmacy.
Assistant Chief Darren Goolsby made the presentations during the bi-monthly business meeting of the Lawrenceburg Board of Mayor and Council.
The awards were presented to officers Jason Lee, Jessie Mills, Sammy McConnell, and Blake Grooms for their efforts during the standoff that occurred on June 12, 2014.
On that date Walmart officials requested assistance, indicating that a man, later identified as Robert Chad Dillon, age 36, of Lawrenceburg, had been shoplifting and was inside a restroom, armed with a handgun.
Dillon led officers on a pursuit to CVS where he ran inside and held the pharmacist and some employees at gunpoint while demanding drugs. Dillon engaged in an hour-long standoff with police before ultimately surrendering.
He was arrested for aggravated robbery, evading arrest, four counts of aggravated kidnapping, and three counts of reckless endangerment.
Goolsby commended all who assisted in the operation including on-duty and off-duty police officers along with members of the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department, Lawrenceburg Fire Department, and Tennessee Highway Patrol. “Everyone worked together and the situation was resolved without shots fired or any injuries,” he said, “It went as best as I think it could have.”
Goolsby said that Lee, Mills, McConnell, and Grooms were being recognized, “Not because they did their duty, but because they went a step beyond…They were the first four through the door. They went in, located him, and contained the situation.”
Lee, Mills and McConnell were presented with Letters of Special Recognition. Grooms received a Letter of Commendation.
Goolsby said that Grooms, “Was the one who talked to him and kept him calm. He even offered to trade places with the pharmacist if he would let him.”
Goolsby said that since Dillon’s arrest Grooms has continued to maintain contact with him at the jail. Goolsby said that while officers are trained to handle such situations, “That kind of dedication is a special thing.”
