Spouse coined for quick response

  • Published
  • By Lisa Pinter
  • 1st SOW Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  A Hurlburt Field wife was at the right place at the right time June 4 when she witnessed an unusual accident.
 
Mindi Acree was the only one to witness a 41-year-old male repeatedly ram through a fence around 10:15 p.m.
 
The suspect broke through the fence area on Martin Luther King Jr, Blvd. and Heritage Gate.
 
Mrs. Acree wasted no time in calling 911 and reporting the unusual behavior.
 
"The first thing that went through my head at this time was, 'Is he OK?'" Mrs. Acree said. "I was really shocked that he continued to drive on base."

The suspect was quickly apprehended due to Mrs. Acree's phone call. 

"By her calling right away we had an immediate response," said security forces Master Sergeant Robert Degennaro, superintendent.

Mrs. Acree was presented by Col. Steven Kimball, 1st Special Operations Mission Support Group deputy commander, presented Mrs. Acree with the 1st SOMSG Commander Squadron coin.

According to Col. Kimball, she was awarded the coin for remaining vigilant.
"I really didn't expect to be receiving this coin," Mrs. Acree said, "Words cannot describe how I feel."

Mrs. Acree attributes her vigilance to the fact that she was raised in a family with a strong sense of security and a father who is a retired security forces NCO.

"Everyone is a security sensor and everyone has a place," said Col. Kimball. 

(Editor's Note: Airman 1st Class Kimberly Darnell contributed to this article.)