[BOISE] – Today, the State of Idaho Medal of Honor Commission awarded the 2024 Medal of Honor to Officer Chris Dance of the City of Boise Police Department in recognition of his heroic acts during the 2021 shooting at the Boise Towne Square Mall, during which two people lost their lives and several others were injured.
On October 25, 2021, Officer Dance was one of two officers who first located the shooting suspect behind a business in a highly populated area. As Officer Dance drove into the parking lot, the suspect fired several rounds from his weapon at the officers, resulting in a passing citizen being shot in the face. Metal and glass fragments produced from the suspect’s gunfire struck Officer Dance causing serious injury to his left eye. Officer Dance discharged his weapon before it became inoperable. He then attempted to stop the suspect with his patrol vehicle, as well as provide cover to his fellow officers as they closed in on the suspect. Officer Dance’s actions prevented further injury to both citizens and fellow officers.
“We are indebted to people like Officer Chris Dance who show up every day and – no matter how difficult the circumstances – work to keep our communities safe,” said Attorney General Raúl Labrador, Chairman of the Medal of Honor Commission. “There is no more noble work than that of police, firefighters, and emergency medical workers. Sometimes, though, this noble work demands even more. It demands unusual acts of bravery and a disregard for one’s own safety.”
In 2004, the Idaho Medal of Honor was established by the Idaho Legislature to bestow statewide recognition of exceptional acts of heroism and bravery demonstrated by firefighters and police officers within the state. Emergency medical service (EMS) providers were included as eligible recipients of this award in 2005. Eighty-eight individuals have since received the State’s highest award.
The Medal of Honor was presented to Officer Dance by Governor Brad Little in the Lincoln Auditorium at the Idaho State Capitol.