North Carolina's first Medal of Valor was presented Wednesday to Lt. Lindsey Moses Winnings of the Craven County Sheriff's Office.
In 2021, she struggled with and disarmed a man who had shot a fellow deputy as he was being transported for involuntary commitment to a psychiatric hospital.
“Her actions that day undoubtedly saved the life of the injured deputy,” said Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, who presented the award Wednesday.
According to local media reports, Deputy Zachary Bellingham was paralyzed while waiting. Deputy Robinson's Moses Winnings Medal citation states that after he was shot, she jumped on the shooter and disarmed him. They struggled until the shooter fled to another part of the house. While other deputies pursued the shooter, she escorted Bellingham out of the house so he could receive medical treatment.
State lawmakers recently created the award at the urging of Robinson, this year's Republican gubernatorial candidate. The law allows the governor and lieutenant governor to nominate up to three emergency medical personnel each year as Medal of Valor recipients.
Moses Cummings is the first recipient of the award. Her boss, Craven County Sheriff Chip Hughes, said Wednesday that she should be commended for “putting her own safety at risk,” adding, “It was a really bad situation, but she stepped up.”
Robinson said he looks forward to honouring other emergency personnel in the future.
“Their dedication often involves great sacrifice,” Robinson said, “but the impact they have on our lives and our society is profound and inspiring.”
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