Lone Star College police officer awarded Medal of Valor

HOUSTON, Texas -- Lone Star College Police Captain Sandra Joachim was presented with the Medal of Valor. Joachim responded to a report of a young male who ran from the LSC-Tomball Library after telling his grandmother he was planning to kill himself.

“Captain Joachim, without regard for her own safety, went above and beyond the call of duty that day,” said LSC Chief of Police Paul Willingham during a ceremony at the March Lone Star College Board of Trustees meeting. “She sacrificed her own well-being to care for another. Her concern, kindness, and courage made a difference in that young man’s life.”

After continued discussion, the young man eventually put down his knife and walked out of the woods with Captain Joachim. He was then transported to Tomball Regional for mental health evaluation. Captain Joachim went with him and his mother and helped them through the process.

The LSC Police Medal of Valor may be presented to any employee who exhibits unusual courage in performance of his/her duties. The situation must be one of unusual danger to the employee and the employee is aware of the hazard.

“Her actions that day represent the very best of Lone Star College and the Lone Star College Police Department,” said Willingham. “It is my honor to award to Captain Sandra Joachim the Lone Star College Police Department Medal of Valor.”

Lone Star College offers high-quality, low-cost academic transfer and career training education to 99,000 students each semester. LSC is training tomorrow’s workforce today and redefining the community college experience to support student success. Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., serves as chancellor of LSC, the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area with an annual economic impact of nearly $3 billion. LSC consists of six colleges, 10 centers, two university centers, Lone Star Corporate College and LSC-Online. To learn more, visit LoneStar.edu.