By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
A Ft. Leavenworth soldier who ran over an active shooter on the Centennial Bridge in late May has been honored by the Missouri General Assembly.
U.S. Army Master Sgt. David Royer was honored with a Senate Resolution sponsored by Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer of Parkville and passed by the legislature.
On May 27th, Royer was driving to his Platte City residence after working at Ft. Leavenworth, across the Missouri River, in Kansas. Royer saw traffic at a standstill on the Centennial Bridge and observed an armed driver get out of a vehicle in front of him and start shooting. Royer ran the shooter over with his car, pinning him underneath.
Royer, who is a corrections officer with the 705th Military Police Battalion, secured the scene until police could arrive.
“The word hero is overused these days, but it certainly applies to Master Sgt. Royer,” Luetkemeyer said in a written statement released by his office. “His quick and decisive action saved countless lives and prevented a tragedy. It is my great honor to recognize this brave warrior and thank him for his heroism on that fateful day.”
The shooter, 37-year-old Jason Westrem, faces numerous charges, including attempted first-degree murder. One of the bullets hit and wounded another Ft. Leavenworth soldier.