A Danville police officer shot in a February exchange of gunfire, and five others who rushed to her aid, were honored Thursday night before the Danville City Council.

Kayla Robinson received the Award of Valor, the highest honor presented by the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police. Stg. Richard P. Wright and officers Zakary P. Clay, Deandre J. Edmonds, David A. Guido Flores and William G. Headley were honored with the association's Award for Life Saving.

On Feb. 17, Robinson was conducting a follow-up interview on a hit-and-run crash with a suspect, Lucas Jason Degier, 47, of Wilmington, North Carolina.

“She located the suspect and initiated what began as a calm, measured conversation regarding his mental health," Danville Police Department Chief Chris Wiles told members of Danvill

See Full Page