HOUSTON – A week after U.S. President Joe Biden presented him with a Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor for his courageous actions to stop a potential mass shooter at the Galleria, Houston Police Sergeant Kendrick Simpo was recognized by Mayor Sylvester Turner and members of the Houston City Council.Mayor Turner has proclaimed Tuesday, May 23, as Sgt. Kendrick Simpo Day in the City of Houston in recognition of his bravery, dedication, and outstanding work.
In February 2022, while Sergeant Simpo was working an extra job at the Galleria shopping mall, he heard a call over the radio about a heavily armed suspect. Sergeant Simpo quickly responded and spotted the suspect carrying a rifle within a few feet of hundreds of children and their families participating in a dance competition. Sergeant Simpo tackled the armed suspect without a single shot being fired, saving an unknown number of lives that day.
He is the first HPD law enforcement officer to receive the Medal of Valor. “I may be the first in HPD, but I will not be the last,” said Sergeant Kendrick Simpo, who thanked his HPD colleagues and Executive Police Chief Matt Slinkard for attending the presentation.
“The City of Houston commends Sergeant Kendrick Simpo on his bravery and dedication to protecting the citizens of this city and owes him a debt of gratitude for his service and sacrifice,” said Mayor Turner.
Sergeant Kendrick Simpo was sworn in as a Houston Police Department officer in May 2009. After several dedicated years as an officer, Simpo earned his sergeant badge in June 2020. He has served and protected the people of Houston in multiple ways, including tending to the welfare and recovery of survivors through HPD’s Victim Services Division. Sgt. Simpo is currently assigned to the Internal Affairs Division. His biggest motivators are his wife, six children, extended family, friends, and co-workers. |
