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Texas Ranger Sgt. John Aycock
First Award
January 1987

"Awarded in recognition of the gallant and courageous manner in which he effected the rescue of a kidnapped child being held for ransom at the risk of his own life.

Texas Ranger Johnnie E. Aycock, along with Texas Ranger Stanley Keith Guffey, on January 22, 1987, in Llano County, Texas, volunteered to be the arrest and rescue team in a high-risk tactical operation. It had been determined that a kidnapper holding a two-year-old-girl for ransom could not be permitted to depart a designated ransom-exchange area with the kidnapped child, as it was believed he would attempt to murder her. He had claimed to have murdered a second victim, which claim was subsequently determined to be true.

Ranger Aycock, along with his fellow Ranger, concealed himself in an automobile that was to be delivered to the kidnapper at the exchange point. The subject appeared and, rather than releasing the child, placedher and the ransom money in the vehicle where he was confronted by the Rangers, who identified themselves in an effort to effect his surrender and avoid bloodshed. The kidnapper commenced firing and, in an ensuing exchange of gunfire between the Rangers and the suspect, the suspect was killed and and Sgt. Guffey was mortally wounded. These heroic actions rescued the kidnapped victim from certain death. Ranger Aycock's dedication to duty, his concern for human life, and gallantry and courage exhibited while fulfilling the responsibilities of his chosen life role brought much credit to himself and to the cause of law enforcement."

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two-tone with the round butt gets me every time

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