During this week's Erie School District meeting, the board honored seven officers for their quick and decisive actions after hearing gunshots in the distance beyond school grounds. Erie Police Chief Daniel Spizarny shared that while other units were responding to a separate call, these officers immediately took action.
"The department had just responded to a stabbing call and local cars were out of the district, so when they heard the shots outside of the school, they responded and did a wonderful job," Chief Spizarny said.
Erie School District Board President Jay Breneman explained that the officers were being recognized for their bravery with a letter of commendation. "Our officers are based out of Erie High, which was not far from the school. They responded quickly and were essentially the first on the scene," Breneman explained.
Spizarny emphasized that while it is the officers' duty to protect the public once sworn in, their bravery and quick response truly stands out in this situation. "They don't just wear a patch that says 'police' or nothing," the chief said. "They are responsible for the safety of the kids, teachers, and staff within the school. In this case, the incident happened outside the school building."
