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Medal of Honor Award Presented for performing above and beyond the call duty an act of gallantry at imminent personal hazard to life with knowledge of the risk.
SGT. DAVID LINFERT
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Mailing Address: Location:
Telephone: 803-781-5913 |
Sergeant David Linfert is a hero and exemplifies everything a police officer should strive to be; dedicated, professional and courageous in the face of danger. Sergeant Linfert is recognized by his peers as being a team player but also a man who repeatedly puts himself in harms way to protect other officers and the public that we are sworn to serve. On January 28, 2006 David Linfert’s actions were nothing less than heroic. As Sergeant Linfert does on every case he works, he vigorously followed all available leads and expeditiously pursued a murder suspect. During this pursuit he was injured by shrapnel in a fire-fight that ultimately lead to the arrest of a man who had killed a club manager. On January 28, 2006 he responded to a call at a club in Columbia after the manager had been shot and killed. Sergeant Linfert immediately took charge of this incident as the supervisor on call. He began interviewing witnesses, coordinating the crime scene and utilizing every piece of technology and personnel at his disposal to pursue the person responsible for this murder. The investigation led officers to the suspect’s home. Sergeant Linfert attempted to make contact with the resident but was unable to get an answer. Sergeant Linfert immediately acquired a search warrant for the residence and again attempted to make contact with the resident. With full knowledge that an armed murder suspect was probably inside the residence, David Linfert made the decision to enter the home. A large majority of supervisors would have taken up a rearward position, but Sergeant Linfert assigned himself the point person on the entry team. As the officers made entry into the home the suspect retrieved a weapon. Sergeant Linfert reacted swiftly to the threat, brought the suspect’s actions to the attention of his fellow officers and engaged the suspect. Sergeant Linfert took precise and swift action and fired at the suspect before the man could completely turn and shoot at the officers. Sergeant Linfert’s bullet struck the suspect in the arm and gave the officers time to seek cover. Several other officers also fired, and a piece of shrapnel struck Sergeant Linfert in the leg. Sergeant Linfert remained in command and control of the situation even after being hit and persuaded the suspect to surrender. Police officers train rigorously; however, when shooting scenarios occur often times chaos emerges. All of the officers in this situation are lucky to have not been seriously wounded or killed by the armed murder suspect, or friendly fire. Sergeant David Linfert’s actions led the Sheriff’s Department to a quick arrest, giving some comfort to the victim’s family. Furthermore, David Linfert did not shy away from his leadership role as he was in front of the search warrant team. He acted bravely and unselfishly as he drew attention to himself and yelled “gun” (for the benefit of his fellow officers), and David then fired his weapon before the suspect could shoot him or the other deputies Sergeant David Linfert is a hero and exemplifies everything a police officer should strive to be; dedicated, professional and courageous in the face of danger and is deserving of the SCLEOA Medal of Honor. |
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Copyright 2006 South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Association |
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