With 23 years in law enforcement with the Nashville Police Department, Sergeant Mark Chesnut narrowly escaped death from an ambush during a traffic stop on June 25, 2009. As Sergeant Chesnut was performing a computer check on the driver's license and the car plates, he was suddenly shot multiple times by the passenger of the stopped vehicle, an escaped armed Mississippi inmate. Even though Sergeant Chesnut was shot, he reacted and threw his police car in reverse which, in turn, distanced him from the shooter. As the gunman sped away, Sergeant Chesnut was able to radio for assistance. His extensive police training allowed him to quickly react and keep his wits long enough to communicate to backup the direction the shooter was driving. This resulted in the two suspects being apprehended shortly after the shooting and without further incident. Even though Sergeant Chesnut was wearing a bullet proof vest, the gunshots entered his abdomen and he was hospitalized for weeks at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Sergeant Mark Chesnut returned to light duty in November 2009, however he underwent additional extensive surgery in January to further repair the internal damage. Sergeant Chesnut has dedicated his career to serve and protect Nashville's children, families and visitors. He has worked as a supervisor on the Interstate Interdiction Unit, a supervisor in the the Child Abuse Unit, and as a patrol officer with Nashville Police Department. In April, Sergeant Chesnut will be awarded the police department's Distinguished Service Medal, the highest honor given to a surviving member of the agency, which exemplifies "performance of an exceptional act in a commendable manner in the line of duty, while demonstrating great personal bravery in an extremely dangerous situation."