Carbondale patrol sergeant receives FOP Valor Award

Carbondale Police Patrol Sgt. Guy Draper been recognized by the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge with a Valor Award for actions last year that prevented an active shooter from killing or injuring innocent people.

"Sgt. Draper put himself at extreme personal risk to avert a potential disaster," said FOP State Lodge President Chris Southwood. "Guy's courage and quick thinking got a shooter off the street and kept innocent people out of the hospital or morgue."

On Oct. 21, 2017, Draper heard gunshots from an alley near a Carbondale business. As he approached, he saw a man firing a handgun toward a crowd of people.

Draper engaged the man and fired his duty weapon, causing the subject to take cover. The man then emerged and Draper fired again, injuring the man and causing him to surrender.

No one besides the suspect was injured in the incident.

The FOP Valor Award is presented to a law enforcement officer for an act of outstanding bravery or heroism that demonstrates selflessness, personal courage and devotion to duty.