Marine Vet and Nashville Detective Honored for Heroic Actions During School Shooting

Michael Collazo, a Metropolitan Nashville Police Detective and Marine infantry veteran, has been named Police Officer of the Year in recognition of his decisive actions during a school shooting in March 2023. The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) awarded Collazo and Officer Rex Engelbert the prestigious award for their prompt response to the incident at The Covenant School in Nashville.

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Audrey Hale, a former pupil, opened fire at the school on March 27, 2023, resulting in the deaths of six individuals. Police were promptly notified, and Collazo, Engelbert, and their team arrived at the scene, averting any additional fatalities. According to an IACP report, Hale was neutralized within 12 minutes of the initial 911 call. The organization commended the officers for their prompt and efficient response, underscoring that the situation could have been significantly more dire without their intervention.

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An IACP news release stated that the shooter was killed 12 minutes after the initial 911 contact was received. "She had discharged a total of 152 rounds." The department is in solidarity with the community in mourning the six innocent victims; however, the calamity would have been significantly worse if not for the heroic actions of Detective Collazo and Officer Engelbert.

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Before joining the police force, Collazo was a Marine infantryman. He expressed his appreciation for the recognition. Collazo expressed his gratitude for the award, emphasizing that it was a privilege extended to everyone involved on that particular day. "It was not solely our responsibility." Everyone was actively engaged.

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The award from IACP, which represents over 34,000 members in 170 countries, acknowledges the quick decision-making and fortitude that were instrumental in safeguarding the community during a crisis.

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