Enlarge Image
Nashville police identified six officers who cleaned buildings before an explosion yesterday: Brenna Hosey (clockwise from the top left), James Wells, James Luellen, Amanda Topping, Michael Sipos and Timothy Miller.
Nashville Metropolitan Police Department
Nashville Mayor John Cooper praised the six fast-acting policemen who evacuated buildings in downtown Nashville, putting themselves in danger to save lives on Christmas morning.
“They are heroes. And I am grateful for them and all the first respondents from Nashville, ”said Cooper, reported CNN.
The Nashville Metropolitan Police Department identified officers, ranging from a novice to an 11-year-old veteran, as:
- Officer Brenna Hosey, a 4-year veteran;
- Director James Luellen, in the department for 3 years;
- Officer Michael Sipos, a newcomer with 16 months of service;
- Director Amanda Topping, in the department for 21 months;
- Officer James Wells, also with the department for 21 months; and
- Sergeant Timothy Miller, an 11-year veteran.
The police arrived at the scene shortly after 6 am, after responding to a call about gunfire. They found the RV issuing a recorded warning, “All buildings in this area must be evacuated now. All buildings in this area must now be evacuated, ”said the voice.
They immediately started knocking on doors and evacuating residents. “These cops saved lives today,” said Metro Police Chief John Drake of The Tennessean. Only three people were injured in the explosion, which damaged nearby buildings and shattered block windows.
“This is a year in which we understand what our first respondents mean to our community over and over,” said Cooper. “Unfortunately, on Christmas Day, you have another example of this.”