Goodman honors officers involved in 2010 shooting at federal courthouse

By Dave Toplikar

Wednesday, April 6, 2011 | 11:46 a.m.

Mayor Oscar Goodman today honored the 11 law enforcement officers who protected the public during the Jan. 4, 2010, rampage by a lone gunman in the Lloyd D. George U.S. Courthouse in downtown Las Vegas.

The group of federal court security officers and deputy U.S. marshals and federal detention enforcement officers “put their lives in harm’s way to protect the citizens of Las Vegas,” Goodman said at the Las Vegas City Council meeting, where they were named Citizens of the Month.

Those honored included Stanley Cooper, a court security officer who was fatally shot, and Richard Gardner, a deputy U.S. marshal who was injured during a shootout with Johnny Lee Hicks, 66, who was killed in the incident.

Hicks entered the courthouse armed with a 12-gauge shotgun and began firing. Three deputy U.S. marshals and four court security officers returned fire and chased Wicks from the building. Cooper was able to fire one shot and the deputy marshal also returned fire, according to Metro Police.

Wicks was wounded by a bullet to the stomach and suffered a fatal shot in the head in the 81-round exchange.

Because of the action of the law enforcement officers at the courthouse, the gunman was unable to harm any civilians or gain access to the courthouse where the public employees were going about their business, Goodman said.

“We owe each of them a debt of gratitude for saving countless lives that day, not only in the courthouse but also across the street at the historic Fifth Street School, where the gunman was fatally wounded,” Goodman said.

Goodman honored the officers by giving them plaques and calling them up to the podium, where he recounted what each officer did that day.

“These officers went to work on Jan. 4, 2010, just as hundreds of other law enforcement personnel do every day. When a dangerous situation presented itself, they took action to protect and serve the public,” the mayor said. “It’s a reminder to all of us of the sacrifices that law enforcement will be called upon to make at any time. “

“When Mr. Hicks entered that courthouse, he was bent on destruction,” said Nevada U.S. Marshal Christopher Hoye. “If he were to have breached that threshold who knows how many lives would have been lost. These men put their lives in jeopardy. The responding officers from Metro as well as from the city of Las Vegas, marshals, put their lives in jeopardy to keep you safe.”

The other officers honored were:

• Court Security Officer William Sherman, who was posted at the front entrance of the courthouse and returned fire, keeping Hicks from re-entering the building.

• Court Security Officer John Eklund, who was also at the front entrance and directed a female court employee to safety, then helped chase the gunman out of the courthouse. He helped the wounded Deputy U.S. Marshal to get cover and provided first aid until emergency personnel arrived.

• Officer Arthur Gennaro Jr., who covered the front entrance of the courthouse as Hicks retreated. Gennaro saw Hicks run across Las Vegas Boulevard and participated in the gunfight that ended with Hicks fatally shot in front of the Fifth Street School.

• Michael Gerrity III, who was patrolling the perimeter of the courthouse when he heard the gunfire. Gerrity got two pedestrians to safety and then confronted Hicks and ordered him to drop his weapon. Gerrity was fired at by the gunman and returned fire.

• Leonard Kaufman was in the second floor security control room when the shooting started. He covered the front entrance from the second floor and pursued the gunman outside and across the street.

• Robert Riscen, the lead court security officer, who took a female employee near Cooper out of the line of fire and had her hide under a desk. He also helped chase the gunman outside and coordinated with first responders to aid Cooper and secure the scene.

• Sherry Shipp, who was in the second floor security control room when the shooting started. She contacted 911 and described the situation to the operator and was instrumental in directing EMTs and Metro Police on what was happening so they could respond.

• Deputy U.S. Marshal David Diliberti, after getting information from Gardner, pursued Hicks across Las Vegas Boulevard, returning fire and trying to bring an end to the situation.

• Federal Detention Enforcement Officer Justin Ford, who was approaching the courthouse on his way to work, heard the gunfire and joined other officers as then repelled Hicks across the street and away from the courthouse.