HPD officer honored at White House for tackling man armed with AR-15 at the Galleria

KHOU 11
Author: KHOU 11 Staff
Published: 5:16 PM CDT May 17, 2023
Updated: 5:50 PM CDT May 17, 2023

HOUSTON — A Houston police officer was honored Wednesday at the White House for tackling an armed man with plenty of ammunition inside the Galleria last year.

Sergeant Kendrick Simpo was awarded the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor by President Biden.

It was Simpo's fast action last February last year that may have saved lives. He was working an extra job at the Galleria when he heard on his radio about the man armed with a rifle.  He spotted the suspect within a few hundred feet of children and their families who were at a dance competition and tackled him.

“He rushed the gunman alone, tackling him to the ground and grabbed the AR-15 he used to pin the suspect to the wall until help arrived,” President Biden said during the ceremony to honor Simpo. “When I asked about his heroism, Simpo said, ‘I know what I signed up for.’”

The man also had 120 rounds of ammo and a handgun, according to HPD.

"I am extremely proud of Sgt. Simpo,” HPD Chief Troy Finner said in a news release. “His courageous action exemplifies the dedication of every person in the Houston Police Department and the mission to protect and serve the whole community.”

After the suspect was arrested, he was found to have a gun and more than 120 rounds of ammunition.

Simpo is the first Houston police officer to receive the Medal of Valor.