Mayor Shane McFarland recognizes officers Victor Morris and Wade Lakin with STARS award
Two Murfreesboro Police officers who saved the lives of two shooting victims were honored Thursday, October 15, 2026, for their heroic efforts in a chaotic and dangerous response call.
Mayor Shane McFarland officially recognized Officer Victor Morris and Officer Wade Lakin with STARS awards during Thursday’s Council meeting for acting quickly with decisive life-saving treatment after responding to a shooting at a hotel on Old Fort Parkway, August 7, 2026.
Upon arriving at the scene, the officers observed a massive amount of blood with broken glass at the front door to the hotel. Following a blood trail down a hallway, they discovered two victims, both suffering from gunshot wounds to their legs. Morris applied a tourniquet to the leg of one victim, directly saving his life. Officer Lakin applied a tourniquet to the second victim.
Murfreesboro Police Sgt. Jeff Carroll offered the following nomination:
“Both Officer Morris and Officer Lakin responded to a local hotel in reference to a shots fired call. Upon arrival, it was obvious to both officers that victims were present. Officer Morris and Officer Lakin located two victims with severe injuries. The officers acted quickly and without hesitation to save the lives of the two individuals. Without this treatment both subjects would not have survived.”
Sgt. Carroll nominated Officer Morris and Officer Lakin for the STARS Award for their life-saving efforts during the chaotic, dangerous situation. Both officers risked their safety to ensure the safety of the injured subjects.
Hired as a Police Officer trainee in December 2021, Officer Morris completed field training and evaluation before becoming a certified officer Aug. 20, 2022. Officer Lakin has served as part of the Field Force Operations Unit since February 2026. Hired as an officer in July 2024, Lakin completed field training and evaluation before beginning service as a certified officer June 9, 2025. Prior to becoming an officer, he worked for the Murfreesboro Water Department as a Plant Operator from 2023 to 2024.
The STARS Service Excellence program recognizes outstanding employees who embody the city’s standards of service excellence and exemplify its core service values. The purpose of the STARS award is to recognize and reward those employees who go beyond their normal job duties in providing outstanding customer service to internal and external customers.
STARS stands for “Succeeding Through Attitudes Reflecting Service Excellence.” STARS are examples of representing the City in a positive light, exhibiting the core values, and creating a better quality of life for citizens.
A STARS committee, consisting of City employees, reviews the STARS nominations each month and then votes for the nominees.
Congratulations to officers Victor Morris and Wade Lakin for being named STARS!
