GPD presents officers, citizen with Award of Valor

The city of Graham and Graham Police Department recognized officers within their department and a citizen of Graham last Thursday for their service during a shooting incident on Friday, Sept. 6.

GPD was dispatched to the 1400 block of Avenue D in the afternoon of Sept. 6 in response to a person who had reportedly been shot. According to a press release from GPD, there was a disagreement between the two neighbors, Joshua Dale Noggle, 33, of Graham, and Joe Donald Sledge, 67, of Graham.

Officers and YCSO deputies arrived and took up a position of cover around the suspected shooters home.

Off-duty GPD officer Kirk Freeman and Amanda Alexander, a neighbor in the area, located Noggle who was shot. They began performing first aid. The two had to pull Noggle away from the suspected shooter’s home to a safe location to perform first aid.

He was then transported by Graham EMS to Graham Regional Medical Center. While at GRMC, he was pronounced dead by Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 Jason Hearne.

Bullock presented Freeman and Alexander with the GPD Award of Valor last Thursday, which he said is presented to officers and individuals who distinguish themselves through acts of bravery and display courage while facing danger and defending their lives or the lives of others.

“On Sept. 6, 2019, I personally witnessed a situation where heroic was the only way to describe it,” Bullock said. “While being off duty and responding to the sound of gunshots actively being fired in his neighborhood, I observed Graham Police Officer Kirk Freeman and a citizen, who was later identified as Amanda Alexander, without due regard for their own safety pick up a severely injured citizen and carried him to a location out of harms way where lifesaving measures could be initiated.”

Based on the recommendation of Investigative Sergeant Chris Denney, Bullock also presented the Award of Valor to Sergeant Austin Lawrence due to his actions in stopping the shooter from fleeing or shooting responding officers.

“Sergeant Austin Lawrence responded to 1435 Avenue D in reference to shots being fired and one person critically wounded,” Bullock said. “Sergeant Lawrence was the first officer to arrive on the scene and warn responding officers of the second shots fired from 1435 Avenue D. Sergeant Lawrence took up a defensive position behind a tree that was a short distance away from the suspect’s residence. Sergeant Lawrence remained vigilant, watching the front of the door while additional officers responded to the scene. The scene turned into a barricaded person at which time Sergeant Lawrence remained diligent and provided cover for responding officers and the Texas Department of Safety entry team.”

Bullock said the Award of Valor is the highest honor the department recognizes, with only one officer receiving the honor previously. Alexander is the first citizen to receive the honor from the department.

Bullock said while the duties of a police officer are not always recognized, they carry much importance for the community.

“The duties of a police officer are as varied as they are complex, requiring a multitude of skills on the part of the officer,” Bullock said. “Most members of the community have little idea of what takes to be a police officer. A patrol officer will often be the first contact for the agency with a member of the public serving as investigator, law enforcer and peace keeper. The patrol officer, more so than a soldier, maybe asked to lay his life on the line every day he or she goes to work. A life that may be taken by the very people they are sworn to protect.”