A police officer in eastern Iowa is receiving national recognition for his actions on a day that he and his co-workers will likely never forget. North Liberty Police Sergeant Chris Shine has been named the “2013 Officer of the Year” by the National Rifle Association. On March 10 of last year, Shine and two other officers responded to a domestic disturbance call at a mobile home park.
The suspect, 28 year old Taleb Salameh, locked himself inside a home and started shooting at the officers through a door. Two officers were wounded, including Shine. But, Shine was able to hold his ground and shoot and kill Salameh. Shine says the NRA award doesn’t belong to him alone. “The whole incident, I wasn’t the only one involved. So, for me to get selected, it’s an honor and I have to share it with them because we all played a part in it,” Shine said.
An investigation showed Shine and the other officers involved in the shootout acted properly. The award from the NRA is given to just one officer in the country each year. Shine is the first Iowan honored in the 20-year history of the award.
Shine has recovered from his wounds. He was back on patrol two months after the incident and in January was promoted from officer to sergeant. Shine will be honored at the NRA’s annual meeting at the end of this month in Indianapolis.
(Reporting by Heather Hubbs, KCRG-TV, Cedar Rapids)