AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) – Cpl. Chris Thompson of the Amarillo Police Department was surprised with the November Welcome Pardner! First Responder of Distinction award at noon Tuesday, Nov. 18, during the weekly Bridging the Gaps luncheon at the Texas Panhandle War Memorial.
Interim Police Chief Jimmy Johnson presented the award to Thompson. Immediately afterward, Johnson was surprised as the November Random Acts of Kindness honoree.
The First Responder of Distinction honor has been presented monthly since January 2018, with all recipients nominated by peers or community members, according to organizers. Honorees receive keepsake plaques and engraved awards.
Thompson, an Amarillo PD officer since 2017, was nominated by Ashley Ward, owner of Bomb City Fencing & Handyman Services. Thompson had helped her with a break-in…