AL HJR264

Nominates Officer Dedrick Echols of the Birmingham Police Department for the 2013 Alabama Legislative Medal of Honor for Law Enforcement.

Recognizes Officer Echols as a five-year veteran of the Birmingham Police Department for his actions during an armed hostage situation at St. Vincent's Hospital on December 15, 2012.

Officer Echols was one of five officers from the South Precinct who responded to an active shooter situation where the suspect took a security guard hostage and terrorized hospital staff and patients.

During the confrontation, the suspect fired on the officers; two hospital employees and one officer were wounded, but the officers stopped the suspect without additional casualties.

The Legislature hereby honors Officer Echols for his extraordinary courage, professional response, and willingness to risk his personal safety to protect innocent lives.