Fort Hood, Texas police Sgts. Mark Todd and Kimberly Munley this week wore St. Gabriel Possenti Society honor medallions presented by Society Founder-Chairman John M. Snyder at the American Police Hall of Fame (APHF) in Titusville, Florida.
A high resolution image of the photo by Ling Woo is available on request by email to
gundean@gmail.com.
On November 5, Todd and Munley responded to a call at Fort Hood shortly after a suspect had fatally shot 13 people and wounded 31 others. They apprehended Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, and likely prevented other deaths and injuries. Munley is still recovering from injuries received during the incident.
Munley and Todd told reporters they were within feet of the suspect when he was shot and captured. It was "up close and personal," said Munley.
"Sgts. Munley and Todd exemplify the courage, commitment to justice, and skillful use of firearms, especially handguns, so appreciated, prized and promoted by the Society," said Snyder. "Indeed, it is a pleasure as well as a privilege to honor them. I am grateful to APHF for affording me this opportunity during its Law Enforcement Officers of the Year ceremonies."
The Society's patron, St. Gabriel Possenti, used handguns in 1860 to rescue villagers in Isola del Gran Sasso, Italy from a gang of terrorizing marauders. He died of natural causes in 1862. Pope Benedict XV canonized him in 1920. The Society seeks his official Vatican designation as Patron of Handgunners. It emphasizes the historical, philosophical and theological bases for the right of self-defense.
Snyder serves on the boards of the National Association of Chiefs of Police (NACOP) and the American Federation of Police and Concerned Citizens. Both support APHF.
According to the recently-completed NACOP postal survey of America's chiefs of police and sheriffs, 77 percent of the nation's law enforcement command officers believe general recognition throughout the states of permits to carry concealed handguns issued by a state would facilitate the violent crime-fighting potential of the professional law enforcement community; 71 percent think qualified, law-abiding armed citizens can be of assistance to the professional law enforcement community in promoting justice and reducing the incidence of violent criminal activity; and 95 percent believe any law-abiding citizen should be able to purchase a firearm for sport or self-defense.
A former National Rifle Association magazine editor, Snyder is Public Affairs Director of the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, and Treasurer of the Second Amendment Foundation.