Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) awarded Jack Wilson — who is credited with stopping a gunman in a church on December 29 — with the Governor’s Medal of Courage.
The medal is the highest honor awarded to civilians by the governor and awarded to those who show “great acts of heroism by risking their own safety to save another’s life,” according to CBS Austin.
Watch Abbott present the medal to Wilson below:
Jack Wilson is awarded the Medal of Courage by @GregAbbott_TX for stopping the shooter in his church with a single shot to the shooter’s head. pic.twitter.com/JZAmJqzLSM
— Caleb Hull (@CalebJHull) January 13, 2020
After a gunman opened fire in West Freeway Church of Christ on December 29, Wilson responded seconds by firing one shot that struck the gunman and killed him.
Following the incident, Wilson said he aimed for the gunman’s head because there were still churchgoers who might have been struck if he aimed lower, according to ABC 13.
“The only clear shot I had was his head because I still had people in the pews that were not all the way down as low as they could. That was my one shot.”
The gunman died from his injuries, along with another two others who were shot before Wilson responded.
But Wilson’s quick action, drawing and firing his weapon less than six-seconds after the gunman opened fire, drew praise from many who noted that the loss of life could have been higher had he not have reacted as quickly.
President Donald Trump praised the “heroes” at the church and Texas law that allows parishioners to carry in places of worship.
