Because of his actions, Riley is now being posthumously awarded with two of the nation’s highest honors: the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.
The Purple Heart is awarded to those in the U.S. military members who are injured or killed in battle. A Bronze Star is given to individuals who show “heroic or meritorious achievement or service.”
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Kerr Putney said after the shooting that Howell “did exactly what we train people to do.”
“You’re either gonna run, gonna hide and shield, or you’re gonna take the fight to the assailant,” he added. “Having no place to run and hide, he did the last.”
“Unfortunately, he gave his life in the process. But his sacrifice saved lives. What he did was, he took the assailant off his feet, and then the heroes that we have here were able to apprehend him from there.”
It is clear that Riley is a hero and deserves to be awarded for it. Without him, maybe dozens would have died. Let his family know that you will always remember him and and his actions by sharing.