Jason Falconer, Concealed Carry Instructor who Stopped Mall Attack, recieves Congressional Badge of Bravery

Image from kstp.com

Link to video on Youtube

 Jason Falconer received the Congressional Badge of Bravery as an off-duty officer. But Jason was more than an off-duty officer, he was a professional firearms trainer for the Minnesota carry permit. As with many other instructors, he made it his business to train others to be aware and ready to stop an attack with deadly force, if it became necessary. From kstp.com:

Avon police Officer Jason Falconer received a Congressional Badge of Bravery for his actions on that September 2016 day. Falconer was off duty when 22-year-old Dahir Adan stabbed and injured 10 people at the mall.

Falconer shot and killed Adan to stop the attack.

Jason Falconer started as a firearms training professional in 2003, when the Minnesota Personal Protection Act went into effect. He taught for 10 years before acquiring property and establishing his own range at 521 10th Ave, South Waite Park.

Jason is a dedicated member of the Gun Culture. He is said to be a part time member of the Avon Police Department.  While the bio says that Jason is a part time officer with the city of Albany, we do not know when the bio was written.  It may be that he serves part time with both departments.

It is not unusual for police firearms instructors to maintain a part time position in the local police department, especially if the department is small. The Avon PD has three full time officers and five part time officers.  From cityofavonmn.com:

The Avon Police Department is currently not a 24-hour department. We are staffed with 3 full-time officers and 5 part-time officers. If you receive the answering service, police staff may not be on-duty and may not be able to return your call immediately.

The Albany Police Department is also a small department.  From albany.mn.us:

The Albany Police Department is currently comprised of 1 chief, 1 police sergeant, 2 full-time patrol officers, 5 part-time patrol officers and one non-sworn support staff.

Having a proficient firearms trainer on staff part time offers significant advantages to both the department and the instructor.  The instructor can maintain their LEOSA status, allowing for carry anywhere in United States territory.  The department is able to keep its officers qualified and conduct training with minimal additional expense.  I do not know if that is the situation with Jason; but Tactical Advantage offers the annual LEOSA  training necessary for retired officers to maintain LEOSA credentials.

While Jason is a certified peace officer, there are many who are not, who are just as proficient as Jason Falconer.

Perhaps President Trump will show the appreciation of a grateful republic to those brave men and women who stop mass attacks, and who are not working for a police department.

Congratulations, Jason. You did well.

©2018 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

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