In a solemn ceremony in La Vergne yesterday, Officers Ashley Boleyjack and Gregory Kern were recognized with Law Enforcement Purple Heart Medals for their bravery and sacrifice following a violent altercation last year. The honor, which signifies serious injury sustained in the line of duty, has never been bestowed upon La Vergne officers by the American Police Hall of Fame before this incident, as per reports from WKRN.

The altercation that led to this recognition occurred on October 21, 2023, when both officers responded to a stolen vehicle alert. The confrontation, which took place at a local Dollar General, ended with the officers being shot by the suspect, later identified as the estranged son of Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake. The suspect sustained fatal self-inflicted injuries following a manhunt, according to WSMV.

"Our officers put themselves in harm's way to protect their community and as a result suffered physical harm while upholding their oath to protect and serve," La Vergne Police Chief Christopher Moews conveyed during the ceremony, a sentiment echoed across multiple reports and highlighted by WGNS Radio.

Officer Boleyjack, three years into her tenure with the department, sustained a shot to her left shoulder. Officer Kern, with a year and a half of service, was injured in his groin and forearm they both were hospitalized, with Boleyjack returning to duty in January 2024 while Kern continues his recovery and remains off duty. During the Purple Heart ceremony, Kern's ongoing convalescence prevented his attendance, reinforcing the serious nature of the incident and the challenges faced by law enforcement officers in their line of work.