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Florence honors officers for lifesaving response to July shooting; new firefighters and council members sworn in
Summary
At a special meeting the city presented lifesaver awards to Florence officers and a letter of commendation to the lead investigator for their response to a July 6 mass shooting. The council also administered oaths to six new Florence Fire/EMS members and swore in new and returning city council members.
Florence City Council and city staff on Tuesday honored police officers and a detective for actions during an early-morning mass shooting on July 6, 2024, and administered oaths of office to new Florence Fire/EMS personnel and council members.
City officials presented lifesaver awards to three Florence officers — Sergeant Michael Garmon, Officer Tyler Jackson and Officer Hunter Jacobs — and recognized Boone County Deputy Troy Greenlee for pulling a gunshot victim from a residence at 2673 Ridgecrest Drive and providing aid. A letter of commendation was presented to Detective Keith Gadesi for his role as lead investigator. City officials said the responders’ actions led to three survivors from an incident in which seven people were shot and four died. The council observed a moment of silence for the four deceased: Shane Miller, Hayden Rybicki, Delaney Erie and Melissa Parrot.
Chief Rodney Wren led the recognition and read the lifesaver award citation, saying officers entered the residence and performed life-saving measures and victim extraction. The citation in the meeting record credits the officers’ “selfless acts” with saving lives, and lists survivors Claire Smith, Chloe Parrot and Connor Marksberry. Deputy Greenlee was noted as unable to attend the meeting.
The council then conducted a swearing-in ceremony. Chief Wren administered the oath to six new members of the Florence Fire Department and EMS paramedic corps: Sammy Corbin; Jona (Jona) Wilson; Lauren Gullfus; Brooke Sherman; Christian S.; and Zach Castleberry. Those new hires were introduced with brief biographical notes in the meeting record (training, prior service and family attendees).
Justice Michelle Keller presided over the swearing-in of council members. Mayor Julie Abishon also read proclamations honoring outgoing council members Jenna Kemper and Mel Carroll; the record notes council-member-elects Angie Cable and another member-elect were introduced.
Officials thanked assisting agencies involved in the July response: Boone County Sheriff’s Office, Florence Fire Department mutual aid partners, Boone County dispatchers, the Boone County coroner and attorney’s offices, Boone County Emergency Management, the Red Cross, regional peer-support teams, UC Health and others. City staff asked the public to keep victims, families and first responders in their thoughts. No policy actions or staffing changes were announced as part of these recognitions.
