AL HR260

Nominates Officer Stephen Hanns of the Birmingham Police Department for the 2013 Alabama Legislative Medal of Honor for Law Enforcement, the state's highest law enforcement award for extraordinary courage in the line of duty.

Recognizes Officer Hanns' actions on December 15, 2012, when he and four other South Precinct officers responded to an armed suspect who took a security guard hostage at St. Vincent's Hospital and terrorized staff and patients.

Details how Officer Hanns and fellow officers confronted the armed suspect on the 5th Floor near elevators, leading to an exchange of gunfire in which two hospital employees and one officer were wounded before the suspect was stopped.

Commends the five officers for knowingly putting themselves in the line of fire to protect innocent lives and prevent further casualties, comparing their heroic response to a mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School that occurred less than 24 hours earlier.

Directs that Officer Hanns receive a copy of the resolution as evidence of the House of Representatives' admiration and esteem.