On Oct. 21, 2010, Detective Brandon Moore was gunned down by a man with an assault rifle, yet still managed to draw his own sidearm and wound the shooter, subduing the threat and protecting innocent bystanders when he responded to a call near the Knox County line regarding a dispute between a farmer and his neighbor. When the initial disagreement had been resolved, Detective Moore was leaving the rural residence when the farmer told him that the neighbor was growing marijuana in the back yard. Together, the deputy and the farmer drove to the neighbor's field, and as Detective Moore exited his SUV he was shot multiple times from behind. Bullets ripped through his abdomen, groin, left foot and leg, shattering his femur and dropping him to the ground. Holding his wounds with one hand, Detective Moore pulled out his handgun with the other and exchanged rounds with the shooter who was over 50 yards away before wounding him in the leg. As he waited for help to arrive, Detective Moore used his belt as a tourniquet on his nearly severed leg, and sang a familiar hymn because he felt certain that "I would be dead but for the grace of God." He had once made a promise to his family that he would return home after every shift and he was determined to stay true to his word.

Those who work with Morrow County Sheriff's Detective Brandon Moore credit the deputy's survival skills as well as divine intervention for saving his life. His best friend and fellow deputy, Brian Newsome, spoke of the detective's resolve to keep his promise to his family. "Every time we've talked we both know that we're going home at the end of the shift," Newsome said. "He fired a handgun over half of a football field and hit the target he was aiming at."

Detective Moore's investigative efforts that day led to the discovery of 1,700 marijuana plants and more than 100 firearms on the gunman's property. With the same fortitude he displayed that day, Detective Moore recovered from 15 surgeries and intense physical therapy in order to return home for the Christmas holidays with his family and recently he returned to the job he loves. A law enforcement veteran for more than 10 years, Detective Moore was recognized for his bravery when he received the honor of 2011 Charles "Bud" Meeks Deputy Sheriff of the Year from the National Sheriff's Association. Today, he also travels and speaks to other law enforcement agencies about the shooting and the survival mindset that could help other officers stay alive and save others.

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