Metro officers awarded medal of valor

Keith Paul

Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2001 | 9:44 a.m.

Two Metro Police officers Tuesday were awarded the department's highest honor for their actions in fighting off two armed robbers in one officer's North Las Vegas home.

Officers Jim Boubon and Michael Springer were off duty and playing pool in the garage of Springer's home Nov. 16 when two masked gunmen came into the open garage on Nov. 16. One of the men put a gun to Springer's head and the other man aimed a gun at Boubon, Sheriff Jerry Keller said.

Springer started struggling with one of the gunmen and Boubon shot and wounded the other. Boubon then shot and wounded the gunman struggling with Springer. Both of the officers were awarded the medal of valor at an award ceremony Tuesday.

"Their actions protected their lives and the lives of their wives and children," Keller said.

The two gunmen were arrested and charged with several crimes, including attempted robbery.

Keller also awarded seven officers with the lifesaving service award for three incidents.

In addition, Sgt. Darrin K. Densley received the community service award for his work with the department's Police Explorer organization. The group has won two national and scores of regional and state competitions.

Seven officers received meritorious service awards Tuesday for their actions in two incidents.

Officers Michael Surick, Dale W. Alley and Guy A. Cunningham were honored for their actions on Aug. 30, when they responded to the report of a man shooting from a car on the Strip. The officers spotted the man driving a car and tried to pull him over. The man fled but was stopped by traffic. As the officers approached the car, the man shot himself.

Sgt. Dennis P. Flynn and officers Christopher G. Herald, Jason T. McCarthy and Joseph W. Pannullo were honored for disarming a man carrying a bomb on June 1.

The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms honored six Metro officers and civilian employees for their assistance in catching a suspect wanted in connection with the fire bombings of several Las Vegas area Mormon churches. Detective Kenneth E. Du Pont, Officer Ronald J. Fox, Officer Joseph G. Gibbons, crime scene analyst Randall M. McPhail, latent print examiner Joel Geller and lab supervisor Kathleen Adkins-Nevin were honored with the ATF certificate of appreciation.