Corrections_Today_September_October_2020_Vol.82_No.5

shoot anyone who might attempt to avert him from his plan as he felt he had nothing to lose and did not want to return to prison.” But something happened the would-be escapee did not intend. He did not figure he would run into a well-trained and committed corrections officer like Reeshemah Taylor. In a stunning move, Taylor grabbed the gun with both hands, pushed it to the side and delivered a swift knee to the groin area of the inmate. When he fell to the ground, he dropped his weapon. Taylor was on top of him with a headlock and scissor leg grip before he knew what hit him. Then with one hand she grabbed her radio and called for backup.

Over the years, Taylor has received numerous awards

Photo coutesy of The National Archives, White House photo by David Bohrer

“You all share — you’re all crazy, God love you — you all share a selflessness that’s not easy to explain, a commitment to your fellow man that’s rare, a bravery that inspires,” said then-Vice President Joe Biden, addressing Taylor and other law enforcement officers and firefighters. “To me, this is personal. You’re the heart, the soul and the spine of this nation. And the really sad thing is it takes an extraordinary act for the community to rise up and recog- nize what you do.” Officer Taylor’s heroic story, and the everyday ongo- ing stories of COs, moved museum organizers to create a life-size cast image of Taylor which is part of the museum’s permanent castings installations. Located in the “Corrections” area along with graphics, objects and artifacts related to prison life and the corrections field, visitors can learn, and begin to learn, about the hard and valuable work COs do every single hour of every single day. There is even a video following a day in the life of a corrections officer. Museum visitors can actually step into an eight-by-six steel cell to experience what it’s like. The cell comes cour- tesy the former Lorton Correctional Complex in Lorton, The Medal of Valor is awarded to public safety officers cited by the Attorney General for extraordinary courage above and beyond the call of duty. The Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor Act is the highest national award for valor by a public safety officer.

for her bravery, most notably was the award she received from the White House: The Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor.

“Officer Taylor engaged an inmate that was far su- perior in size, strength, motivation, and intention. She successfully subdued this inmate through sheer determi- nation, instincts, will and a courageous heart. Her efforts, in the face of imminent death, saved the lives of many,” wrote Greg Futch, the then-Chief of Corrections for the Osceola County Corrections Department. “By her un- daunted courage, intrepid fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty, Officer Taylor gallantly placed her life in danger, to prevent harm to others, thereby reflecting great credit upon her and upholding the highest traditions of Osceola County Corrections Department and the law enforcement community.” Over the years, Taylor has received numerous awards for her bravery, most notably was the award she received from the White House: The Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor.

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