On Sunday, December 29, 2019, an armed churchgoer stopped a gunman who opened fire at the White Settlement church. On Monday, January 13, 2020, Jack Wilson was awarded the state’s highest honor for bringing the active gunman to a halt in the church shooting. In a ceremony held at the Texas Governor’s Mansion he received the Governor’s Medal of Courage, recognized as the highest civilian honor that can be bestowed in the state.
As Wilson accepted the medal he said, “When events arise, you’re going to do one of two things. You’re either going to step up and do what’s right or walk away. And I’m not one to walk away.” Having stopped the church shooting gunman who fatally shot a member of the West Freeway Church of Christ’s volunteer security team as well as a deacon, Wilson brought the active shooter situation to a swift conclusion. Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick commended the church security team in an interview with the press shortly thereafter and said that the entire incident was finished in approximately six seconds because of their quick thinking. Video of the church shooting was shared in a Twitter breaking news post and can be viewed at the link available here. The Governor’s Medal of Courage is conferred upon those who display, “great acts of heroism by risking their own safety to save another’s life.”