The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) bestowed its first-ever Civilian Medal of Valor posthumously to Riley Howell, who lost his life in the campus shooting. Members of his family attended the annual CMPD Awards Ceremony, Wednesday, May 15, to accept the honor.
Howell, who died during the April 30 campus attack, displayed “courage, sacrifice and honor” in his actions to charge the gunman, said CMPD Lt. Brad Koch.
“Riley Howell was sitting waiting for group presentations to begin when shots rang out. In a split second, Riley chose to fight. He would not live to know that his actions saved others. Riley died as he lived—selflessly, bravely and in service to others,” Koch stated.
He noted that Howell’s family hopes “Riley’s example resonates with everyone. They hope others will, if ever the need arises, answer the call to be selfless and do the right thing without hesitation.”
CMPD Chief Kerr Putney said Howell was owed a “huge debt of gratitude.” He authorized the creation of the highest honor the department can give to a public citizen, the Civilian Medal of Valor.
Prior to the award presentation, CMPD played a portion of Chris Cuomo’s tribute video “Highest form of humanity in UNC Charlotte hero’s sacrifice.”
Ellis Reed Parlier also died during the campus shooting, which wounded four other students Rami Alramadhan, Sean Dehart, Emily Houpt and Drew Pescaro.
The CMPD Awards Ceremony, held at the Police and Fire Training Academy, recognizes the “incredible work by police officers” each year. The ceremony is held during national Police Week; May 15 is Peace Officers’ Memorial Day.
Photo: Courtesy of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department