Fear & Loading: Missouri CCW Holder Honored by Police Chiefs

by
posted on January 2, 2019
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
fl_evidence-markers-and-casings.jpg

The Missouri Police Chiefs Association presented Jerry Pendergrass—who has a concealed carry permit—with its coveted President’s Citizen Award last month for his lifesaving action on June 14, 2018, when he came to the aid of a member of the Springfield, Mo., police department who had his gun “jam” during a gunfight with an armed criminal.

The perpetrator had already fired at law enforcement and during the subsequent foot pursuit officer Andy Zinke shot and wounded the criminal. His backup was nowhere nearby, though. “After I shot this guy I went to re-load and my gun jammed, and I looked down at my gun and I turned and there’s Jerry standing there with his gun,” he told KY3, a local TV station. “It bought me that second.”

“There is an ambulance in front of the house that can get you help right now,” Pendergrass told the perpetrator, emphasizing no one needed to die that day. “He looked at me, looked at his gun and I said no don't look at the gun. With me saying that, Zinke was able to stop moving around and bring his attention back and it was at the same time that he brought his attention back that we both ended up— the man reached for the gun and we shot him."

Pendergrass’ niece told reporters she was initially concerned the incident would become controversial because he’s part African American. The award helps alleviate that fear, although he admits the 10-second incident replays in his mind, at least once a day.

Officer Zinke explained the kind of heroics that came to his aid aren’t always encouraged by law enforcement, but, “… it was something pretty remarkable that day and I was blessed to have him over there.”

 

Latest

Hearing Healthy
Hearing Healthy

Summer Suppressor Deals On Now

Whether it is a BOGO deal from SIG or free tax stamps from Guns.com and Silencer Central, there's plenty of hearing-safe savings to be had this summer.

Rifleman Report: Defending Freedom For 250 Years

"Anyone who claims not to understand the plain and simple intent of the Second Amendment—especially if that person happens to be a constitutional law professor, Supreme Court justice, congressman, senator or president—is likely hiding nefarious intent: to strip individual liberty from American citizens for the express purpose of making them susceptible to a tyrannical government."

Book Review: 2025 Traveler’s Guide To The Firearms Laws Of The Fifty States

Newly updated for 2025, the 29th edition of the Traveler’s Guide To The Firearm Laws Of The Fifty States is packed with all the need-to-know information for cross-country trekkers seeking to bring their arms along with them and remain legal in all localities.

Springfield Kuna: A PDW For The Masses

Small, yet fierce, the namesake of Springfield Armory’s latest large-format pistol is a revered forest dweller in the land of its Croatian manufacturing partner, HS Produkt. The new Kuna is poised to be just as welcome in America.

The Armed Citizen® June 30, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Book Review: Clockwork Basilisk: The Early Revolvers Of Elisha Collier & Artemas Wheeler

The result of a decade of research, Clockwork Basilisk is a comprehensive, two-volume history of the rare revolvers that preceded the development of the well-known Colt guns of the 1830s.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.