Little Rock, Arkansas – Last Friday, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders presented Dallas County Sheriff Mike Knoedl with the first-ever Arkansas Medal of Freedom in recognition of his service during the 2024 Fordyce mass shooting.
On June 21, 2024, a shooter opened fire at the Mad Butcher store, leaving four people dead and nine injured, leaving the community of Fordyce in ruins.
One of the first responders to confront and apprehend the shooter was Sheriff Knoedl.
At a joint session of the Arkansas Legislature, Sanders presented the medal as part of her State of the State address.
Governor Sanders established the award to honor Arkansans who have distinguished themselves in their service to the Natural State by going above and beyond. The inaugural recipient of the Arkansas Medal of Freedom was Knoedl, a former Director of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission from 2012 to 2016.
According to Sanders, Knoedl was the perfect candidate for the award because of his excellent morals and dedication to public service throughout the disaster.
“Those on the scene know that it could have been many, many more if not for the action of brave heroes like Dallas County Sheriff Mike Knoedl,” Sanders stated. “Mike and his cops arrived on the scene minutes after the initial bullets were fired, diverting the gunman’s attention and enabling the victims to seek shelter and flee. Knoedl helped raise tens of thousands of dollars for the victims and their families in the days and weeks following the gunman’s capture, and he arranged for transportation and assistance for the injured.
“Sheriff Knoedl is the best candidate I can think of to receive the first Medal of Freedom.”
As the inaugural recipient of the prize, Knoedl expressed his feelings of respect and humility. He enthusiastically gave thanks to the community he serves.
“I had no idea this was coming, and there were a lot of individuals involved in what happened that day,” Knoedl said. “I was overwhelmed by the support to the victims and their families.
People stepped up and raised almost $80,000 to help them through what was the most difficult time in their lives.”
