The first-ever North Carolina Medal of Valor was awarded Wednesday to Lt. Lyndsey Moses-Winnings of the Craven County Sheriff’s Office.
In 2021 she wrestled and disarmed someone who had shot a fellow deputy, as they went to take the person in for an involuntary commitment to a mental hospital.
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“Her actions that day unquestionably saved the life of the injured deputy,” said Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, who bestowed the award Wednesday.
Deputy Zachary Bellingham was paralyzed from the waist down, according to local media reports. Robinson's citation for Moses-Winnings' medal said that after he was shot, she jumped on the shooter to disarm him. They fought until he ran to another part of the house. As other deputies pursued the shooter, she got Bellingham out of the house so he could get medical treatment.
State lawmakers recently created the award at the request of Robinson, the Republican Party’s nominee for governor this year. The law allows the governor and lieutenant governor to nominate as many as three first responders to receive the Medal of Valor each year.
Moses-Cummings is the first recipient. Her boss, Craven County Sheriff Chip Hughes, said Wednesday she should be lauded for “putting her safety at risk. It was a really terrible situation, and she stepped up.”
Robinson said he looks forward to honoring other first responders in the future.
"Their commitment often involves significant sacrifice," Robinson said. "Yet the impact on our lives and society is profound and inspiring."