Two school resource officers who apprehended suspects accused of firing a pellet rifle at spectators during a high school soccer game received Officer of the Month awards in August and September from Ford of Murfreesboro.

SRO James Coots was attending a Riverdale High School girls' soccer game when he heard the sound of a firearm being shot. SRO Shawn Jones was conducting a wrestling meeting. They pursued the suspects who were taken into custody just moments later.

Owner David Lee of Ford of Murfreesboro presented the SROs with a watch.

"I would like to honor SRO Coots and SRO Jones for their swift actions to apprehend the two suspects and for going above and beyond to keep our children safe," Lee said. "Our community is very lucky to have these two SRO Officers looking after our children and community."

Sheriff Robert Arnold commended the alert SROs.

"We take our responsibility seriously of protecting students both during classes and at after-school events," Sheriff Arnold said. "SROs Coots and Jones, along other responding deputies and the detectives, did an outstanding job in quickly apprehending and charging these suspects. We are happy no one was injured during this unfortunate incident."

Once the situation was controlled, SRO Jones returned to the game. He and school administrators updated students, parents and spectators to retain calm.

SRO supervisors said SRO Coots was not required to attend the ballgame but because of his dedication was on campus at the time. If he had not been on campus, the suspects most likely would have escaped.

Cutline: Owner David Lee of Ford of Murfreesboro, left, presents engraved watches to School Resource Officers Shawn Jones and James Coots, who captured two suspects accused of firing a pellet rifle during a Riverdale High School girls' soccer game. Lee recognized them as Officers of the Month. At right is SRO Capt. Barry Hendrixson, who supervises the SROs.