Koziol bestowed Medal of Valor

Officers past, present honored at ceremony

By JAMIE DEXTER
The Leaf-Chronicle

For area law enforcement officials, Thursday's Police Memorial Day ceremony was a time for both sadness and pride for their accomplishments throughout the past year.

"Today is the day we remember all of our fellow officers that have given the ultimate sacrifice," said Clarksville Police Department Chief Al Ansley. "It is also a day that I'm proud to recognize an officer for his valor and bravery."

CPD Officer Alexander Koziol was awarded the Medal of Valor — the highest honor that can be paid to a living officer — for bravery during a Jan. 15 incident.

Koziol is the first officer to receive this award, which was created by Ansley.

Koziol, along with several other CPD officers, responded to the robbery of a bank on Wilma Rudolph Boulevard, and upon noticing that one of the suspects had fled with a hostage, Ansley said Koziol stepped up to protect her.

"Officer Koziol approached the suspect in the van, encountered a life-threatening situation and was forced to save the life of the hostage, and himself, by making a split-second decision in a volatile situation," Ansley said, referring to Koziol having to shoot the suspect.

"He put his own life at risk to protect the life of another. Officer Koziol is a hero among heroes."

As Ansley presented Koziol with the medal — displayed in a shiny wooden box — everyone in the room at the Clarksville Police Department gave him a standing ovation.