Three police officers honored at law enforcement awards program

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Three police officers honored at law enforcement awards program

Around Osceola

Tuesday, 12 June 2012 13:47

Three city of St. Cloud Police Officers were honored during the 15th Annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Luncheon (L.E.O. Awards) hosted by the Greater Orlando Chapter of ASIS International.
The event, which is the largest law enforcement recognition and awards program in the Southeast United States, recognized more than 190 of the “Best of the Best” among Central Florida Law Enforcement during the last 14 years.
Officer Clinton Wise, a three year veteran, and Officer Spencer Endsley, a newly-hired officer, were each presented with the Award of Valor and Heroism for their action on Nov. 21, 2011, when Wise and Endsley responded to numerous 911 calls reporting a deranged gunman dressed in military-style camouflage armed with two AK-47 assault rifles firing multiple rounds into a residential neighborhood.
As the officers drove up on the scene, the gunman immediately opened fire at the officers’ patrol car. Several bullets struck the front windshield and both officers ducked for cover. However, Endsley suffered injuries from broken glass caused by bullets striking the windshield and Wise was shot in the foot as he exited the patrol vehicle. Wise returned fire and after a brief standoff, the gunman turned the assault rifle on himself and fire one round into his own head. The gunman survived and was later arrested.
Wise and Endsley’s courageous actions and heroic efforts averted a potential loss of life or injuries to innocent citizens and backup officers, according to a city of St. Cloud Police Department press release.
Nettles
Officer John Nettles, an eight-year veteran, also was presented with the Award of Valor and Heroism for his actions on June 29th, 2011; when he responded to a foot pursuit involving an armed subject.
Nettles, a traffic officer who was patrolling the city for traffic violators in accordance to his assignment, without being told or dispatched, took it upon himself to respond to the area for safety measures. Soon after arriving on scene, Nettles witnessed the suspect retrieve a pistol from their waistband as they ran from officers. One of the officers involved in the pursuit shot at the armed suspect in order to neutralize the threat; however, the suspect was not struck and was still armed with a handgun while running through a residential neighborhood. Moments later, the pursuit turned into a standoff as the suspect took position in the front yard of a residence. Nettles quickly moved in, knowing that this very dangerous encounter had to be neutralized in order to protect the lives of everyone else. Nettles fired the first gunshot, fatally wounding the suspect and ending the dangerous encounter. Nettles immediately transitioned from trying to neutralize the armed suspect to save their life by administrating first aid and CPR.
These three officers bravely risked their own personal safety while responding to potentially deadly shooting incidents in valiant efforts to ensure the safety and protection of citizens of St. Cloud the press release stated.