By Will Pafford, Staff Writer

Two Rollingwood police officers received medals for exceptional meritorious service during the Rollingwood City Council’s Nov. 19 meeting..

Officers Rick Harm and Stephen Pompa received the medals after responding to an armed man at the Centre One office complex on Oct. 9. 

“This is one of the most dangerous situations that a police officer can face,” Rollingwood Police Chief Dayne Pryor said. “Even with that information, officers Rick Harm and Stephen Pompa entered the office building.” 

When the officers entered the office, the man inside pulled out a handgun and pointed it at his own chest. 

“Many officers would retreat in a situation like this and call for tactical units,” Police Chief Dayne Pryor said. “But our officers maintained face to face negotiations with this man.” 

Harm maintained negotiations with the man while Pompa provided cover for more than an hour, Pryor said. 

This allowed the Travis County Sheriff’s Office time to dispatch negotiators and gave a  S.W.A.T. team time to respond to the scene and evacuate the building, Pryor said. 

Pryor said although the day ended in tragedy with the armed man taking his own life, Harm and Pompa prevented the loss of additional lives.