St. Louis County Deputy Sheriff David Akerson
Wins TOP COPS Award®

Deputy David Akerson was honored for his devotion to duty and diligence in maintaining his post after an incident on August 2-3, 1996, in which he was shot in the head but managed to continue his duties until backup arrived on the scene.

 While investigating a complaint of a suspicious man with a gun, Deputy Akerson found the cabin where the suspect was hiding.  After Akerson identified himself as a deputy sheriff, the man suddenly opened the door and pointed a .22-caliber rifle toward Akerson’s head and chest.  Akerson knew from the look in the suspect’s eye that there was no room for reason, and he dived off the front porch while screaming, “Don’t shoot!”

The suspect did indeed shoot  --  three times.  Two shots missed Akerson while a third entered his right shoulder, went through his mastoid bone and eventually lodged between his right ear and jawbone.  The bullet remained in Akerson’s skull for nearly six months until doctors could remove it.

While bleeding from his wounds, Akerson found cover in a grove of trees and refused to leave his post until backup units arrived on the scene and the assailant was taken into custody.  The first unit on the scene was Akerson’s son Jason.  It was Jason's first day on the job with his field training officer, and little did he know that he would be responding to a call involving his own father.  The suspect was arrested later that night after seven hours of failed negotiations.  Deputies had to use tear gas to force him to come out of the cabin and surrender.
 
Since NAPO launched the awards program in 1994, the TOP COPS Awards® have paid tribute to outstanding law enforcement officers across the country for actions above and beyond the call of duty. 

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