Sons of American Revolution honor Bradenton police officer

A Bradenton Police officer has been honored for his actions in pursuit of an accused bank robber last year.

Officer David Durrance has been awarded the Medal for Heroism by the Saramana Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.

Durrance was honored April 9 for his role in subduing an armed man suspected of robbing the Gateway Bank branch at 2001 Manatee Ave. W. The suspect pulled a gun on a fellow police officer before Durrance shot him.

On June 2, the Bradenton Police Department received an emergency call regarding an attempted bank robbery. Bank employees had observed a man wearing gloves and pulling a bandana over his face as he stood outside the bank's front doors.

He tried to enter the bank but the doors were locked after employees recognized him as possible threat.

Durrance and other officers spotted the suspect as he fled. The officers conducted a traffic stop on 26th Street West.

As Durrance and another officer approached the truck, the driver grabbed a silver pistol and pointed it at the officers.

Durrance fired a shot from his service weapon into the torso of the man, causing him to drop the gun. The suspect was taken into custody transported to a local hospital.

Charles T. Kincaid Jr., age 66 of Sebring, Florida, was charged with two counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and attempted armed robbery. He is scheduled for trial next month.