Two Bradenton officers to receive Medals of Valor

BRADENTON - Having a gun pointed at you can be a terrifying experience, but two Bradenton Police officers who did their jobs well will be receiving medals for their efforts in dealing with the man behind the weapon.

Sgt. Curtis Johnson and Officer David Durrance will each receive a Medal of Valor - the department's second-highest honor - for their role in subduing an armed suspect who pointed a gun at them, according to a press release from city public information officer Tim McCann.

They will receive their awards at the Aug. 12 City Council meeting at 8:30 a.m., McCann said.

The suspect, Charles T. Kincaid of Sebring, was charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and attempted armed robbery after he tried to enter a bank on Manatee Avenue West on the afternoon of June 2.

After failing to enter the bank, Kincaid attempted to flee but was stopped by the two officers. After the suspect pointed his gun at Johnson, Durrance subdued him with a gunshot to the abdomen. The suspect was taken to a local hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

He has since been released from the hospital and is now in the Manatee County Jail, Police Chief Mike Radzilowski said..

"If not for the courageous actions of Sgt. Johnson and Officer Durrance, Mr. Kincaid would have attempted to shoot any officer that may have tried to prevent his attempt to flee the area," Deputy Chief J.J. Lewis wrote. "It is without a doubt that the quick actions of Officer David Durrance saved Sgt. Johnson from death or serious harm at the hands of Mr. Kincaid."

It was later determined that the weapon the suspect had pointed at police was a fully loaded semi-automatic .380 caliber handgun.