Former Parkersburg police chief honored for response to Ed Thomas shooting

A former small-town police chief who responded to the shooting of a beloved Iowa football coach has been given the highest federal honor for serving crime victims.

Iowa's top federal prosecutors on Thursday presented former Parkersburg Police Chief Chris Luhring the 2011 Law Enforcement Victim Service Award.

Luhring was nominated for his work in the aftermath of the shooting of Applington-Parkersburg Football Coach Ed Thomas in 2009 by a former student.

Luhring was credited with responding to the scene, addressing the medical needs of Thomas and making sure students were safe. He later helped arrest Mark Becker, who was found guilty of first-degree murder.

His supporters said Luhring helped the community heal by being available to Thomas' family members and students who were affected by the shooting.