Six Nashville Officers Recognized For Evacuating Area Before RV Explosion

If it wasn’t for six Nashville police officers’ swift actions, more people could’ve been injured in the blast that rocked downtown on Christmas morning.

As the computerized voice repeatedly warned, “This vehicle will explode in 15 minutes,” officers began knocking on resident’s doors and getting them out of the area. CNN reports that only three people were injured in the predawn explosion because the brave officers acted quickly. All three people are listed in stable condition.

“Officers immediately began knocking on doors and evacuating residents here, not knowing if the bomb was going to detonate immediately or if it was going to go off in the time that it was stated,” Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake said.

The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department identified the six officers as Brenna Hosey, James Luellen, Michael Sipos, Amanda Topping, James Wells, and Sergeant Timothy Miller.

“They are heroes. And I am grateful for them, and all of Nashville’s first responders,” Nashville Mayor John Cooper said.

The force of the explosion knocked over one officer, and another officer experienced hearing loss. If it had not been for the officers’ quick thinking and heroic efforts, many more could have been injured in the explosion.