WASHINGTON –
The Justice Department today presented James Shaw Jr. of Nashville, Tennessee,
the Special Courage Award during the annual National Crime Victims’ Service
Awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. This honor is awarded to victims or
survivors who exhibit exceptional perseverance and determination in dealing
with his or her own victimization, or who acted bravely to prevent
victimization.
“Risking his
own life, Mr. Shaw acted swiftly and bravely after a gunman killed four people
early one morning at a diner, saving the lives of many others. He then followed
up his courageous action by delivering comfort and aid to wounded and
traumatized victims,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “None of us knows
how we would react in such a dangerous situation, but we can all be inspired by
Mr. Shaw’s selflessness.”
On April 22,
2018, Shaw, an electrical technician, was eating at a restaurant when a gunman
opened fire on the patrons. Despite being grazed by a bullet, a Nashville
police spokesman said “Mr. Shaw saved, obviously, many lives in his heroic
action.” Later, he visited wounded victims in the hospital and helped support
them in their recovery.
“The trauma
of those who experience a violent crime is deep and real, and their restoration
to physical and emotional health can be long and difficult,” said Office of
Justice Programs Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Matt M.
Dummermuth. “But Mr. Shaw encourages us as individuals and as a nation to
strive to meet the needs of those struggling in the aftermath of crime.”
The
Department’s Office for Victims of Crime, a component of OJP, leads communities
across the country in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week and hosts
an annual award ceremony. President Reagan proclaimed the first Victims’ Rights
Week in 1981, calling for greater sensitivity to the rights and needs of
victims. This year’s observance takes place April 7-13, with the theme
“Honoring Our Past. Creating Hope for the Future.”
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