A local Texas Department of Public Safety Officer was one of nine to be presented an award at the April Public Safety Commission Meeting.
Texas DPS said in a release that they honored Trooper Juan Rojas Tovar with a Purple Heart for his actions on the April 8th 2021, following a shooting at Kent Moore Cabinets in Bryan.
As law enforcement agencies searched for the shooter, Tovar traveled to the suspects last known address near Iola, where he found 28 year old Larry Winston Bollin outside with a high powered rifle. Bollin opened fire as Tovar backed his vehicle away, striking him in the eye.
Tovar also spotted a bystander between he and Bollin, and had presence of mind to wait before returning fire at the suspect, to protect the bystander. He gave Bollin’s vehicle description and direction of travel to officers, before being treated for his injuries. Ultimately, Tovar would lose an eye in the incident. He would receive a hero’s welcome upon his return home to Madisonville.
Tovar was the only recipient of the Purple Heart at the meeting.
