08/30/2024
Deputy Robert French
On August 30, 2017, Deputy Robert French responded to a shots fired call at a North area hotel. After a gun battle inside of the hotel, the suspect continued to engage law enforcement officers in the hotel parking lot, as he made his exit. Deputy French took position in the hotel parking lot, using his vehicle for cover, he acquired the suspect and engaged him in gunfire. As the suspect attempted to flee, he began shooting at Deputy French. One of the suspect’s bullets passed through a portion of Deputy French’s patrol car and struck him. The bullet entered through the top of his shoulder, missing his body armor and passing through his heart, mortally wounding him. Despite being mortally wounded, Deputy French remained vigilant. He emerged from behind cover and engaged the suspect, in an effort to stop the suspect from fleeing and causing more harm to the community. Deputy French exhibited extraordinary and conspicuous bravery in the line of duty in his attempt to stop an extremely dangerous, armed suspect. Despite life-saving measures taken by emergency personnel, Deputy French succumbed to his injuries.