App State Police officers recognized for valor, lifesaving acts

BOONE, N.C. — Three App State Police officers recently received awards of distinction for outstanding service, valor and lifesaving efforts from the App State Police Department (APD) and the University of North Carolina System.

Capt. Johnny Brown and Officer Tylor Greene were recognized with Awards of Valor by the UNC System on Nov. 10 in Chapel Hill. Each year, the System recognizes police officers who demonstrate valor or exceptional service to constituents of the UNC System campuses through acts of bravery, heroism, outstanding courage or work above and beyond the call of duty to improve their community relationships and engage in crime prevention. The news was also announced during the Nov. 17 UNC System Board of Governors meeting.

Brown, Greene and APD Officer Christopher Shew also received departmental awards in June in recognition of outstanding service and lifesaving efforts from 2021 to 2022.

“On behalf of the entire App State Community, I congratulate Captain Brown and Officers Greene and Shew on their well-deserved honors and extend our thanks for their outstanding service to App State and the greater community," said App State Chancellor Sheri Everts. "We are proud to have them serve in the App State Police Department."

“All of these awards are an opportunity for our department and the UNC System to showcase some of the incredible work that our police officers do on a daily basis,” said Andy Stephenson, App State director of public safety and chief of police. “We are grateful for their recognition, and we truly appreciate the selfless work police officers do to protect this community.”

In June, Stephenson presented Lifesaving Awards to Greene and Shew. Officer Shew saved the life of an overdose victim, quickly and decisively administering naloxone, and Officer Greene rescued a potential fall victim, directly placing himself in harm’s way to pull the individual back to safety.

Also in June, Brown was recognized as APD’s 2022 Officer of the Year and presented with the department’s first Medal of Valor for his actions as part of the rescue entry team that responded to the fatal shooting and standoff at Hardaman Circle in Watauga County on April 28, 2021. A Medal of Valor is given only in extraordinary circumstances and recognizes truly exceptional action taken by a police officer through outstanding bravery, decisiveness and swift action — irrespective of their own safety — to protect others.

“I am humbled, to say the least, to receive this award, but I do want to speak to the bravery so many people showed that day, including K-9 Deputy Logan Fox and Sgt. Chris Ward (Watauga County Sheriff’s Office), our true heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice,” Brown said. “The individuals who answered this call are some of the bravest people I have ever met, and I am honored to work with all of them. All first responders who answered the call on April 28, 2021, showed valor.”

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About the Appalachian Police Department

Appalachian State University’s official policing agency — the Appalachian Police Department — supports the university’s academic mission by working in partnership with the campus community to prevent crime, solve problems and improve the quality of life on campus. The department’s philosophy is one of proactive community engagement, collaboration and customer service, holding the safety and health of App State’s community members as its top priorities. State-certified police officers, security officers and civilian employees compose the department, and this team of professionals helps to create and maintain an inclusive sense of belonging for all members of the Appalachian Community — students, faculty, staff and visitors. Additionally, through its efforts, the department aims to be a leader in innovative public safety ideas and strategies. Learn more at https://police.appstate.edu.

About Appalachian State University

As the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The Appalachian Experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and to embrace diversity and difference. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls nearly 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.