On Thursday, Alexandria Police Sgt. Terri Mucci was honored by the Kiwanis for her role in a January shooting incident that led to a 12-hour police standoff. When Mucci arrived on the scene, she gave critical medical aid to a female shooting victim and put herself in the line of fire to rescue a 2-year-old.
What are your normal duties as sergeant?
As a sergeant, I supervise patrol officers in Sector Three, the west end of Alexandria. I review patrol officers’ reports and respond in critical instances when supervisors are called to the scene. I like just being out there on the street with the officers.
What happened the day of the shooting?
We didn’t realize this, but the victim came driving out the closed garage, and we didn’t know if she was the suspect or the victim. We got her down on the ground — unfortunately we had to do that; we thought she may be the shooter — then we realized she was shot. So I gave aid to her, and there was a 2-year-old on the top of the steps, and I was able to bring that child to safety.
Was there any reaction from the woman or the child?
It’s a little 2-year-old, she doesn’t know anything. She was adorable, by the way. The woman was OK. I don’t think she was very grateful that we put her down on the ground, but I think she was kind of grateful that we got her out of there.
How do you risk your own life in these situations?
What makes you do that is simply you do what you have to do. It’s a moment where you act to bring everybody to safety. But I guess you have a sense of accomplishment when things come out right. Unfortunately, he took his own life, so it only partially came out right.
— Ben Giles
