Collierville Police Department
On September 24, CPD officers and dispatchers heard the words over the radio that no one wants to hear, “officer down”.
Previously, Collierville Police Department had received a request from the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office to assist in locating a suspect involved in a shooting within their jurisdiction.
After the CPD joined in the search, the vehicle was located, parked at the Fairfield Inn in Collierville.
The CPD officer who arrived on the scene was approaching the vehicle, when the suspect struck the officer, forcing him onto the vehicle’s hood. As the suspect was fleeing the scene in the vehicle, the officer fell off the vehicle and was run over by the suspect.
The first two officers on the scene, Officer Gallo and Officer Ware (pictured above), rendered lifesaving medical aid to the injured officer until paramedics from the Collierville Fire Department arrived on the scene and transported him to Regional One Hospital. The injured officer remained in Trauma ICU for weeks following the incident.
Officer Gallo and Officer Ware faced an extremely stressful situation involving catastrophic injuries to a fellow officer and friend. They never hesitated or waited to be told what to do, and their efforts were key to the officer’s survival.
Both officers were awarded the CPD Life Saving Medal this past week, for their actions on September 24, 2022.
The injured officer was able to attend the ceremony, and is continuing to see improvements daily. Please continue to pray for him as he continues in the recovery process.
