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| Jack Wilson speaks after receiving the first every Texas Governor’s Medal of Courage. |
By Leonardo Blair, Christian
Post Reporter
Wilson was honored during
a formal ceremony with the newly minted Governor’s Medal of Courage, which
Abbott’s office describes as the highest honor given to
civilians by the governor for those “who display great acts of heroism by
risking their own safety to save another’s life.”
The firearms
instructor who has also been a reserve sheriff’s deputy stopped 43-year-old
Keith Thomas Kinnunen last month after he opened fire at the
West Freeway Church of Christ, killing two people — security guard Richard
White, 67, and grandfather Anton "Tony" Wallace, 64, who had
just handed out communion.
In his remarks on Wilson
Monday, Abbott thanked God for placing Wilson in the church on the day of the
shooting.
“Although we continue
to mourn the loss of Tony Wallace and Rich White, we also thank God for putting
Jack Wilson in that church that day to bring the attack to an end and to
prevent the further loss of further life. Only God knows who is alive today
because of Jack Wilson. What we do know is that so many lives were saved
because of Jack Wilson’s quick action,” Abbott said.
“His calmness under pressure and above all else his courage and
his willingness to risk his own life to save the lives of others. Courage has
been defined as feeling fear yet choosing to act; following your heart when
determining what to do; persevering in the face of adversity; stepping up to do
the right thing to do; facing suffering with dignity and with faith. Jack
Wilson embodies those traits. When faced with an evil that few of us can ever
comprehend Jack Wilson responded with strength, with bravery and with love for
those in the church that day,” Abbott continued.
“That’s why he volunteered to provide security at the church
knowing that one day he may be called upon to step up and risk his own life.
Jack, I know that you’ve been reluctant to accept the label of being called a
hero but that is exactly who you are. You are a hero to everybody in the church
that day. You are a hero to the people of Texas. You put your life on the line
to ensure others would live. That is the hallmark of heroism and of courage.
And it’s my honor to present to you the Governor’s Medal of Courage,” Abbott
added.
Wilson, in his response to the award, said he didn’t feel like a
hero but rather “a protector.”
“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,” he said.
In his remarks Monday, Abbott also praised the church’s Senior
Pastor Britt Farmer for guiding his church through the ordeal.
“I saw firsthand how tight-knit the West Freeway Church of Christ
community truly is. The fact of the matter is, it’s far more than just a
community. It’s a family. A family of brothers and sisters in Christ who look
out for one another even in the darkest of moments,” Abbott said.
“Britt, I want you to know, it’s easy to see here you’re not only
a man of faith, you’re a man filled with grace provided by God. There was a
serenity and calmness to the way you responded to this catastrophe. It’s almost
unimaginable. Knowing that you lost some of your very best friends. You lost
some of your congregants. It was your church that was attacked but yet God
empowered you with the strength that you needed to be able to instill calm and
resolve in your congregants and God continues to work through you to this very
day,” Abbott said before presenting Farmer with the state flag.
Source: https://www.christianpost.com/news/
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