Wednesday, January 23, 2002
GPD Officer Given Citation for Bravery During Gator Growl Riots
By JONATHAN LEWIS
Sun Staff Writer
The Gator Growl riots were sparked by a horrifying example of the Gainesville Police Department's internal prejudices and irresponsibility. New mistrust of all officers of the law spread throughout Gainesville as the moral outcry escalated to a mob. It is difficult to find a scapegoat, let alone a hero, amongst the growing awareness of minorities right's in the city.
In what can only be described as an act of unparalelled bravery, Officer Lawrence O'Malley was responsibile for cooling the flames of a major portion of the uprising. The early hours of the morning on the date of the riots found Officer O'Mally and his partner faced with a gathering of several dozen University of Florida students around a routine checkpoint for their patrol. The angry young adults surrounded the car, threatening violence and accusing the department of harboring and encouraging racism among it's ranks. The Officer left the vehicle then, speaking directly to members of the crowd. Through his words alone he was able to convince the group to disperse, and to meet peaceably with the police. The delegation that ended the riots was a direct result of his laison work between the outraged crowd and the overwhelmed police department.
His courage under the threat of fire from the allegedly armed UF students has lead Mayor Tom Bussing to award him a Citation of Bravery. Approved personally by Governor Bush, the presentation of the Citation will be held this Sunday on the Courthouse steps. Police Chief Norman Botsford will attend to present the award. In an interview with the Gainesville Sun, Chief Botsford said "I think we learned that there are some concerns in the community that perhaps we weren't aware of . . .having to do with how police officers interact with people - in particular minority members of the community." He stated that recruits such as Officer O'Malley were rare, but a welcome representation of the GPD's training and moral character.
O'Malley joined the GPD a few short years ago, after an early retirment from a job as Head of Security for the Gainesville branch of a large phamaceutical company. "I wanted to be closer to the streets, a hands-on job helping the community. I am disappointed that events were allowed to get so far out of hand before violence insued, but I am proud that the citizens of Gainesville handled themselves this well in the aftermath."