Two Ardmore Police Officers Honored At OK State Capitol

Two Ardmore police officers who narrowly escaped a hail of gunfire during a high speed chase were honored at the Oklahoma Capitol Monday.

Captain Eric Hamblin and Officer Juan Galicia were out looking for a suspect who had been on a violent crime spree and had already killed one person and wounded an ATF agent. So when they started chasing the car on January 16 , they knew exactly who they were dealing with: Henry Jackson, wanted for killing one man, and shooting three others including an ATF agent.

1/16/2014 Related Story: Ardmore Shooting Suspect Killed In Shootout With Officers

"We knew it was not going to be a good situation, but before we even lit him up he started shooting back at us," said Captain Hamblin Monday,

"You could hear the shots and then you hear it hitting the windows, hitting the car, it was scary," recalled officer Galicia.

One bullet went right through the driver's side windshield.

"It was one of the first or second or third rounds, went right through the windshield. I heard it," said Captain Hamblin, as he demonstrated how close the bullet came to his temple.

"At the time you think Captain Hamlin had been hit because he's controlling the vehicle and he was going off to the right," said officer Galicia.

Instead, the Captain maneuvered through an open lot to avoid the gunshots but continued the chase.

"We knew if he got away, there's no telling what he would have done," said officer Galicia.

Jackson eventually lost control.

"When he crashed he started shooting again and we were right on top of each other, hood to hood," said Captain Hamblin.

Jackson was killed in the shootout. But Hamblin and Galicia were miraculously uninjured. Monday, the officers were honored in the Senate for their service and received a standing ovation.

"For us, we were just trying to do our job and what we were trained to do and to be honored is very humbling," said Captain Hamblin.