A Clarkesville police officer is being praised as a hero for his actions during a potentially fatal situation that, according to authorities, prevented a mass shooting and an ambush on other officers.
Officer Terry Lee Palmer received a gallantry award from the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Georgia State Lodge for his response to an emergency at the Cameron Apartments in Clarkesville on September 7, 2024. That evening, Allen Patterson, a tenant of the apartment complex, was the subject of a welfare check by Clarkesville police. Patterson was an Army veteran, and there were worries that he was having mental health problems. As backup, a number of Habersham County deputies arrived.
Patterson was seen following numerous deputies with what looked to be a rifle pointing in their direction while cops were on the scene, according to the police department’s incident report.
Palmer saw what was going on and confronted the suspect, yelling for him to drop his firearm, Clarkesville Police Chief Danny Clouatre told Now Habersham. Palmer allegedly fired at Patterson when he turned his revolver on him.
Officer Palmer allowed the deputies time to turn around and defend themselves against the perceived threat by confronting Patterson, according to Chief Clouatre. Patterson was shot by them and subsequently passed away from his wounds.
Michael Palmer, President of FOP North Georgia Mountains Lodge #112, stated during the medal presentation that Officer Palmer prevented a possible mass shooting involving civilians and an ambush on police officers. He then gave the offender life-saving treatment. We will always be thankful for his unselfish deed.
Giving credit where credit is due
At the Clarkesville City Council meeting on July 7, Palmer and fellow FOP member Craig Fulghum gave the award to Officer Palmer. State Representative Victor Anderson of District 10 and Senator Bo Hatchett of District 50 were present during the ceremony.
According to Michael Palmer, it is crucial for all of us in law enforcement to give credit where credit is due. Every officer is taught to make snap decisions on a daily basis.
The report on the Patterson shooting by the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office is still pending. Chief Clouatre stated that he was unable to provide a timeline for the case’s closure.
According to Clouatre, most people don’t comprehend Terry’s behavior, but we can’t provide a lot of specifics until everything is finished. You only see the crimes you haven’t [stopped]; you never see the crimes you have stopped.
A dangerous job
Every year, the Georgia FOP honors officers throughout the state for their exceptional service. The accolade was especially valuable to Michael Palmer because it gave him the chance to honor a fellow officer from his lodge.
In the modern world, it is crucial that all law enforcement personnel are given due recognition for the exceptional work they perform. He added that the FOP is honored to support that endeavor.
The FOP reports that 342 policemen nationwide—including 18 in Georgia—were shot in 2024. 18 people were killed when 79 of them were ambushed.
The FOP said that this number did not rise as a result of Officer Palmer’s activities.
With more than 377,000 members, the Georgia Fraternal Order of Police is a part of the biggest law enforcement organization in the country and represents more than 7,500 officers throughout the state.
