THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 19, 1995 TAG: 9502170207
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SUSAN W. SMITH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 56 lines
Two years ago, six members of the Chesapeake Police Department's SWAT team led a charge to free five hostages being held by a gunman.
The men - Capt. J.E. Saunders, Sgt. Johnny C. Day, Officers James C. Jarrett, James R. Lefebvre, Michael B. Throckmorton and Detective Ronald W. Young - were recently awarded a Silver Star by the American Police Hall of Fame for bravery and heroism for that action.
For more than three hours on April 5, 1992, a masked gunman held five hostages at the Home Quarters Warehouse store on Military Highway. The Chesapeake Police and the SWAT team, assisted by the State Highway Patrol and police from Portsmouth, Norfolk and Virginia Beach, surrounded Chesapeake Crossing Shopping Center as a Virginia Beach Police helicopter circled overhead.
Inside, a man armed with a 9mm pistol herded five managers into an office, where he used duct tape to bind their arms, legs and mouths.
Finally about 8:30 p.m., Saunders, Day, Throckmorton, Lefebvre, Jarrett and Young smashed out the front glass with a bat, opening the way for the charge into HQ.
``I was scared when I went in,'' said Day. ``There were a lot of unknowns in a huge building where shots had been fired.''
``Our main concern was to free the hostages while minimizing the danger to our team.'' said Saunders. ``You never think about recognition, but it's always nice to be commended.''
The six freed the hostages and led them to safety before returning to search for the armed man. With his getaway blocked, Lawrence R. Piers, the gunman, killed himself.
Frank Doczi, president of HQ, wrote to Police Chief Ian M. Shipley Jr. thanking him for the responsiveness and preparation of the police and the professionalism of the team members.
The SWAT team members were given their award recently in a surprise presentation by Maj. Jefferson Warren of the Chesapeake Police Department.
The Silver Star is the second-highest heroism medal an officer can receive. The highest award, the Medal of Honor, is awarded only when an officer has sacrificed his life. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
Six men from the Chesapeake Police Department's SWAT team were
recently awarded a Silver Star by the American Police Hall of Fame.
They are, left to right, back row: Michael B. Throckmorton, James C.
Jarrett and Johnny C. Day. Front row: Ronald W. Young, James R.
Lefebvre and J.E. Saunders.
by CNB