Sheriff Shane Doyle, Detective Wally Ritter Receive Medal Of Valor Awards At State Sheriff Convention

L-R: National Sheriff Association President, Greg Champagne, Sheriff Shane Doyle, Det. Wally Ritter, KY Sheriff Association President Wayne Wright.

Edmonson Voice Staff
Two local law enforcement officers were honored with the "Medal of Valor" award at last week's 2016 Kentucky Sheriff Association Conference, held at the Owensboro Convention Center.

The award was presented as a result of actions taken by both officers in a home invasion in Edmonson County at the home of Harlin Tarter in March of 2015. 

Detective Ritter was presented the National Sheriff's Assc. Medal of Valor in April of this year for the same incident and was nominated by Sheriff Shane Doyle.

Ritter was also nominated by Doyle for the same award at the state level. Doyle was nominated for the state award by Edmonson County Judge Executive Wil Cannon, a retired Kentucky State Trooper and former Edmonson County Sheriff.

"The medal was certainly unexpected," said Sheriff Doyle. "We don't go to work everyday looking for medals or awards, so needless to say, this was a very humbling experience. It was an honor to receive this award with Detective Ritter."

​Both Doyle and Ritter were involved in a fight with a home intruder who was in the process of taking possession of a loaded rifle from Mr. Tarter. Both officers kept the rifle from the man during the fight, but in the process, the man attempted to grab Doyle's gun. Ritter intervened and was able to strike the man in the face, and he was immediately placed in handcuffs. 

"I can also say that any of our local officers would've reacted the exact same way," Doyle added. "Our community is truly blessed to have such qualified and trained officers in Edmonson County."

Ritter echoed much of the same.

"Out of 120 counties, there were only a few of these awards given," Ritter said. "Most of those were given to officers in our area. It's a real honor to be in the same category with these other respected officers."

Other officers in the region receiving awards included Warren County Captain Tim Robinson with a Medal of Honor, Simpson County Detective Eddie Lawson with a Medal of Honor, and Grayson County Sheriff Norman Chaffins and Grayson County Chief Deputy Corey Knochel, both receiving the Medal of Valor.

"It also goes to show that some of the finest officers on the road are right here in south central Kentucky," Ritter added. "The ones that I work with are certainly some of the best."