Booking deputy earns national Valor award for removing handgun from new inmate

Booking Deputy John Elliott recently received the Valor Award from the American Jail Association for removing a loaded handgun from an inmate being booked at the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center in 2023.
American Jail Association President Shawn Klucznik presented the award to Elliott Tuesday during the annual AJA Conference and Jail Expo in Fort Worth, Texas.
AJA gives this coveted award to an individual who demonstrated unusual judgment, zeal, bravery, and/or ingenuity that averted or minimized a potential disaster.
While initiating the booking process on the inmate, Elliot noticed a handgun in the inmate's clothing. Without regard for his personal safety, he gained control of the firearm without any injuries.
The handgun was loaded with 11 rounds.
'He had a gun and could have shot anybody,' Elliott said. 'I didn't want that to happen. Anybody else in booking would have done the same thing.'
Tennessee Corrections Institute Board Chairman Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh commended Elliott.
'We are extremely proud of Deputy Elliott for his quick action to avoid a potential disaster in our facility,' Fitzhugh said. 'He is very deserving of this recognition.'
Jail Administrator Kevin Henderson said the detention staff appreciates having a deputy on the team like Elliott.
'To see something wrong, respond and put your own safety at risk showed tremendous courage and the will to do a great job,' Henderson said. 'Who knows how many lives he saved due to his actions with total disregard for his own life? His actions were heroic.'
Besides locating the handgun, Elliott also recovered a knife from an inmate in October 2023. The arrestee was belligerent and noncompliant with officers.
AJA reported Elliott's persistence and dedication to safety and security while serving as a Booking Officer has been a point of inspiration for other staff members and exemplifies the innate bravery required of corrections officers every day across the nation.
This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Booking deputy earns Valor award for removing handgun from inmate

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