Georgia State Patrol troopers Justin Henderson and Jeremy Battle were presented the Department of Valor Award this week by the Georgia Department of Public Safety on Wednesday. The Floyd County officers were awarded the honor for their role in saving the life of Beverly Broach earlier in the year.
The troopers, along with several Floyd County officials, responded to a home on Fosters Mill Road after reports of shots being fired. When they arrived they found that Broach’s daughter, Stephanie Tanner, had been allegedly shot and killed by her 46 year-old husband Dewayne David Tanner.
Reports said that Tanner also allegedly shot Broach several times and was calling for help when they arrived. They were also told that the shooter, Tanner, could also be on the scene.
The officer’s still, despite the possibility that the shooter was still on scene, holstered their guns so that they could get though a gate and help Broach.
Dewayne David Tanner was later arrested in Bartow County and charged with murder.
The Department Valor Award is the highest award presented by the Department of Public Safety to a sworn member who has displayed courage and fortitude and has performed a duty well beyond that which would reasonably be expected in a tense or emergency situation. In doing so, the circumstances of the event must have placed the member’s own life in jeopardy.
