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Larry Penkava
Deputy awarded Medal of Valor
ASHEBORO — Dep. Chad Oates has been honored for an act of bravery that took place last May.
An officer with the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, Oates received the National Sheriff’s Association Medal of Valor from Sheriff Maynard Reid. The ceremony took place Monday at the beginning of the March meeting of the county commissioners.
“I and the entire Sheriff’s Office are proud of the bravery and professionalism displayed by Dep. Oates and it is with great pleasure that he is given this award,” said Reid.
The award is presented to “deputies who display prominent acts of bravery and courage in the line of duty.” Recipients are chosen from candidates submitted from across the United States.
On May 12, 2009, Oates pursued a car with two suspects believed to have robbed the Level Cross BP Station.
After a pursuit through a rural area, the vehicle stopped and Oates pulled within 30 or 40 feet and exited his patrol car.
The two suspects fired at Oates with what were later determined to be an AK-47 assault rifle and a Ruger 9 mm. handgun.
The deputy was forced to move first to the rear of his vehicle and later behind a wooden shelter.
During the shootout, Oates is reported to have seen the driver of the suspect vehicle jump or fall into the front seat. Later, the passenger got into the driver’s seat and drove away.
Oates’ patrol car was so damaged that it was disabled.
There were gunshots to the windshield, hood, roof, tire, engine, grill and driver’s side door.
Several shots went through the windshield and into the dash area, driver’s seat and rear seat.
Investigators found six spent shell casings from Oates’ gun and 30 shell casings from a rifle and 12 more from a handgun.
Later, a fellow officer noticed a hole in Oates’ pants, which was determined to be a bullet hole.
Reid said, “Dep. Oates was faced with imminent threat of serious bodily injury or death while responding to this call. However, Dep. Oates used his training and kept a clear head while trying to not only protect himself but also the citizens of Randolph County.”
The award had been kept a secret from Oates, who said, “I was very surprised. There was no warning. I’m very humbled and very honored.
“There are thousands of cops who put their lives on the line every day,” he said. “To be chosen from all these officers is a feeling I can’t describe.”
Oates wife Jill said she was “very proud of him and thankful he’s still here. He’s very good at his job.”
The Oates have two children.
In other business, the board:
- Approved a request by the Randolph County Historic Landmark Preservation Commission to designate the Pisgah Covered Bridge as a historic landmark.
- Agreed to charge $30 for tetanus/pertussis vaccination to adults who don’t qualify for the State Vaccination Program. North Carolina has cut funding for the immunizations.
- Voted to approve a grant application for Continuation of Implementation Funding for the Randolph County Adult Day Reporting Center.
- Heard an update of the Piedmont Triad Partnership.
- Voted to close Mountain Street in the Rushwood Park Subdivision.
- Moved the July meeting back a week to July 12.
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