Four employees of the Hefner VA Medical Center who performed heroically under gunfire were honored Monday with one of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ highest awards.

Co-workers, friends and family cheered loudly Monday morning as Acting Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs Hershel W. Gober presented the Awards of Valor.

Eighty-three-year-old Johnnie Reid shot Dr. Charles Flynn in the chest on Aug. 3 as Flynn examined Reid in the admissions area of the hospital.

“Here are four VA heroes,” said Secretary Gober.

Flynn, who is still recovering from the physical and emotional wounds, was the first to accept his award.

Gober described him as a pillar of the community and praised him for his compassion. “He offered his life on behalf of his co-workers.”

Flynn drew the first of a series of standing ovations.

Nurse Carol B. Currier was cited for her “courageous action in pulling Flynn to safety and immediately doing CPR while in the line of fire.”

“She is a true VA hero,” said Gober.

The secretary had special praise for VA Police Officers Timothy Nason and Stephen Chandler, who returned fire and killed Reid.

Gober said the officers performed their duty properly and heroically, adding that their quick response helped saved Dr. Flynn’s life.

“They did the right thing. The heroic thing was done,” said Gober.

Before presenting the awards, the secretary talked about the sadness of the episode.

“Despite all our efforts, a veteran died,” said Gober. “We regret the tragedy took place.

According to national records, only three of the awards have been presented in the past four years.

The Secretary’s Award for Valor is granted to a VA employee or group of employees for exhibiting great courage with voluntary risk of personal safety to prevent the loss of human life or government property.

Medical Center Director Timothy May and Maynard Daniel F.Hoffman, the network director for the VA Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network, recognized four others who played key roles in the tragedy.

Receiving the Director’s Commendation Award were:

• Dr. Robert Brazis, who was cited for providing lifesaving medical intervention to Flynn.
• Dr. Anjania D. Swarna, who was cited for assisting in treating Flynn.
• Nurse Margaret Matthews, who was cited for providing emergency care and providing a a barrier between Flynn and the shooter.
• Betty Keever, who was cited for rapid action in calling 911 and in acting quickly to evacuate the area where the shooting occurred.

Following the presentation, the recipients were honored at a reception.

Secretary Gober talked with the recipients, VA staff and visitors. Flynn was surrounded by media, eventually spending a brief time at the reception, before returning to his home in North Davidson.

Flynn is recovering physically but says he is still dealing with emotional pain.

“Psychologically, it’s going to take time,” said Flynn. “It’s been devastating for me and my family.”

Flynn was shot in the chest

He underwent surgery at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem and was released from the hospital less than a week later.

Flynn said he’s progressing through physical therapy but has had setbacks because of inflammation around his heart.

Crowds make him anxious, he said, and sometimes he’s startled when he hears popping sounds.

Flynn said he doesn’t know whether he’ll return to medical practice.

“I don’t know,” he said. “I don’t know if I’ll always be a little afraid going into an examining room.”