Two members of the Jefferson City Police Department were among the 15 first responders and seven civilians awarded Missouri Public Safety Medals on Wednesday for heroic and life-saving actions during 2020. The awards are Missouri's highest recognition for first responders acting during critical incidents.
"Law enforcement is facing increasing challenges," said Missouri Department of Public Safety Director Sandra Karsten. "The support shown by many Missourians is appreciated and helps strengthen the resolve to continue to serve and protect. As a person who has worked in public safety for over 36 years and who deals with law enforcement and the fire service every day, I have the continued respect and appreciation for the incredibly important work our Missouri first responders do."
JCPD Sgt. Michael Ottolini and Officer Lee Alex Clawson received the Medal of Valor. This is Missouri's highest award recognizing public safety officers.
"They exhibit exceptional courage, extraordinary decisiveness and presence of mind, and unusual swiftness of action, regardless of his or her personal safety, in the attempt to save or protect human life," Karsten said.
Ottolini and Clawson were recognized for their actions on the night of April 15, 2020. At Tuesday's ceremony, Karsten read a synopsis of what occurred on that night.
JCPD officers were conducting an investigation into ongoing drive-by shootings into homes on the city's west side when a suspect vehicle was identified and an officer attempted to make a traffic stop. But the driver, later identified as Jamie Williams, 27, of Jefferson City, refused to stop and a pursuit began.
After the nine-minute pursuit went through several neighborhoods, Williams and a passenger, Anthony Wilson, 28, of Jefferson City, fled the vehicle.
While another officer pursued Williams, Ottollini, who had joined the pursuit, and Clawson, who had arrived on-scene to assist, pursued Wilson into a wooded area. It was dark and the area contained thick brush and downed trees.
Early in the foot chase, Ottolini reportedly saw Wilson reach into his waistband for what he believed was a weapon. Clawson jumped over a chain-link fence and tackled Wilson. While struggling with Wilson, Clawson was shot twice in the abdomen. Clawson tried to push away the gun, which he saw in Wilson's right hand. Clawson called out to Ottolini, "he shot me."
As Wilson continued to fight Clawson, Ottolini pulled Clawson away from Wilson and drew his service pistol. Wilson, still armed, and posing a threat to both officers, was shot by Ottolini, ending the threat. Wilson died at the scene.
Clawson was transported to a local hospital for treatment. His ballistic vest had prevented one round from penetrating his body. The second round caused a laceration to his lower torso.
"After pursuing a gunman suspected of terrorizing a neighborhood and Officer Clawson being shot by the suspect, Clawson and Sgt. Ottolini displayed tremendous courage under duress in ending the threat to themselves and the community," Karsten said.
Clawson has since been promoted to detective with JCPD.
Authorities said Wilson and Williams were on federal supervised release, sometimes called special or mandatory parole, for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Authorities also said the weapon used by Wilson was found to have been stolen in a December 2019 burglary in Jefferson City. Wilson was also reportedly being sought for his role in several calls received April 14, 2020, about shots fired around the city.
Williams has been charged with second-degree murder, resisting arrest, driving while revoked and possession of a controlled substance. He is scheduled to have a trial setting in Cole County Judge Dan Green's court in October.
A second-degree felony murder charge can be filed against a person because they were present when the shooting occurred, even though they may not have pulled the trigger, authorities said.
JCPD asked the Highway Patrol to investigate the officer-involved shooting. Prosecutor Locke Thompson said after reviewing the patrol's investigation reports, he found the actions of Ottolini and Clawson were "lawful and appropriate under the circumstances."
Members of the Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control and an agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives interviewed Williams, according to the patrol's probable cause statement. Williams allegedly admitted to driving the vehicle and fleeing from officers and reportedly identified Wilson as his passenger.
At Wednesday's ceremony, Gov. Mike Parson said, "Sometimes we take for granted what we expect law enforcement officers to do. We expect EMTs, firefighters and all emergency personnel to do their jobs without hesitation. But let's be honest, for a lot of you sitting in these seats, it's a job that most of us don't want to do. What's important is sacrificing for others, and put them above you, and I think that's one of the highest callings of a public servant."
"The Award of Valor, particularly based on an event in which an officer was forced to take a life in the performance of his or her duty, always results in a contradiction of feelings," JCPD Chief Roger Schroeder said after Wednesday's ceremony. "Although we must accept the fact that we are constantly faced with the possibility of applying lethal force to protect an individual or ourselves, no one wants to be placed in a position of doing so. Sometimes, when faced with the need for immediate action to save a life, we must decisively act.
"Today's ceremony is not intended to offer any comfort concerning the need to apply lethal force," Schroeder added. "It is intended to acknowledge the brave actions of those who routinely assume the dangerous responsibility of protecting our respective communities and are willing to place the safety and welfare of others before their own."