Charlotte, North Carolina Officer Honored
Officer honored for brave chase
Posted on Fri, Mar. 17, 2006
He was shot at multiple times while going after a bank robbery suspect
by Aimee Juarez, ajuarez@charlotteobserver.com
This time last year, Timothy Greene was almost shot after a bank robbery suspect started firing at him during a chase through Rock Hill.
On Thursday, the Rock Hill police officer was in Washington, D.C., to accept a national award honoring his heroics that day.
Greene, 29, was one of five public safety officers who received the public safety officer medal of valor awarded by U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.
It's the highest national award for police, firefighters and paramedics, according to a release from the U.S. Department of Justice.
Rock Hill police officials nominated Greene for the award.
"It's an extreme honor to have someone from Rock Hill receive this award," Rock Hill Police Lt. Jerry Waldrop said.
On March 18, 2005, the Bank of America along Dave Lyle Boulevard near Interstate 77 had just been robbed when Greene arrived. Witnesses pointed toward an SUV driving in the wrong direction. They said the suspect, John Phillips, was driving.
Suddenly, Phillips, 35, stopped the SUV and fired several rounds at Greene, police said. The bullets shattered his cruiser's windshield.
His face bloodied from the shattered glass, Greene continued to chase Phillips along with other officers, weaving through streets packed with cars and residential neighborhoods.
Police said Phillips stopped and fired at the officers several times before he was shot and killed during a shootout on Pantry Drive, near U.S. 21.
Greene's "part was extremely crucial," Waldrop said. "We were able to keep the suspect in sight because he stayed with him."
Greene became a Rock Hill police officer almost three years ago. Last July, the S.C. Law Enforcement Officers Association awarded Greene the medal of honor, the highest honor in the state for a police officer.
"A lot of people take for granted that police and firefighters are out there for their protection," Waldrop said. "Law enforcement and firefighting are a calling. Tim definitely went beyond the call of duty."
Aimee Juarez: (803) 327-8507
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