Murfreesboro Officers Receive STARS Awards for Bravery
Mayor Shane McFarland honored two officers for applying life-saving tourniquets to shooting victims.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Awards
Murfreesboro Mayor Shane McFarland presented STARS awards to Officer Victor Morris and Officer Wade Lakin. The officers were recognized for their life-saving actions during an emergency response at a local hotel.
Why it matters
The STARS awards program highlights city employees who perform critical, life-saving measures that exceed their standard daily job duties. This recognition underscores the importance of rapid emergency response in the local community.
Officer Victor Morris and Officer Wade Lakin successfully applied life-saving tourniquets to two shooting victims who sustained leg wounds. The officers located the victims by following a blood trail down a hotel hallway.
The players
Shane McFarland
Shane McFarland serves as the Mayor of Murfreesboro and leads the city's council meetings.
Victor Morris
Victor Morris is a certified officer who joined the department on August 20, 2022.
Wade Lakin
Wade Lakin is a certified officer who began his service on June 9, 2025.
Jeff Carroll
Jeff Carroll is a Sergeant who formally nominated the two officers for their life-saving recognition.
The details
After responding to a shots fired call at a hotel on Old Fort Parkway, the two officers located victims suffering from leg gunshot wounds. Sgt. Jeff Carroll nominated the officers for the prestigious city honor after they effectively used tourniquets to stabilize the individuals.
Timeline
August 7, 2026: Officers provided life-saving treatment to shooting victims.
October 15, 2026: Mayor presented awards during a council meeting.
Culture Shift
This recognition aligns with the broader societal shift toward prioritizing tactical trauma training for local law enforcement. It highlights a move away from purely reactive policing toward a model where officers are equipped to provide critical pre-hospital care.
Residents can gain confidence knowing that local officers are specifically trained and equipped to handle traumatic injuries during emergencies. This event reinforces the city's investment in both public safety and rapid-response capabilities for the community.
The takeaway
Effective emergency response often relies on the rapid application of basic life-saving equipment like tourniquets. Citizens are encouraged to learn basic first aid, as these skills can prove vital during life-threatening medical emergencies.
Further reading
For more information on local civic recognitions, visit the Murfreesboro Awards section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WGNSRadio.
