A St Joseph police officer is among eight public safety officers from across Missouri to be honored with the state’s Medal of Valor Wednesday.  Governor Jay Nixon honored the officers in a ceremony at the Statehouse Wednesday.

Here’s

Officer Kenneith D. Smith Jr., of the St. Joseph Police Department, was cited for heroism for his response to a domestic dispute in which a man pulled a gun. Here’s how the governor’s officer tells the story:

“On July 21, 2010, Officer Smith responded to a domestic disturbance call in St. Joseph. As he arrived, the officer spotted the suspect running toward a woman and her young child. When the suspect saw Smith, he ran toward his van and attempted to flee the scene. Smith blocked him, but the suspect refused to obey the officer’s commands. The suspect began struggling with Smith and was able to reach a gun hidden in his van. With the gun in his hand, the man told Smith that he was going to kill him. As the two continued to struggle, he placed the gun at Smith’s head and pulled the trigger. The officer was able to push the man enough so the bullet missed him, hitting the van. As the struggle continued, Smith pulled his service weapon and repeatedly told the gunman to drop the gun or he would have to shoot. When he aimed his gun at the officer’s face, Smith had no alternative but to fire once, killing the gunman. Officer Smith bravely acted to protect the woman and child and exhausted all options, putting his own life at even greater risk, before being forced to use deadly force.”

The officers received the medal for “extraordinary acts of bravery and heroism that saved the lives of Missourians during 2010,” according to a press release from the governor’s office.

Receiving the Missouri Medal of Valor were:

*Kenneith D. Smith Jr., of the St. Joseph Police Department;
*Mathew R. Crosby and Jorden G. Lewis, of the Rock Hill Police Department;
*Donald L. Doza, of Troop F of the Missouri State Highway Patrol;
*Joseph R. Haman, of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department;
*Steven M. Landsness, of the O’Fallon Police Department;
*Darren M. Rodgers, of the Arnold Police Department;
*Gerald L. Williams, of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department.