On August 3, 2019, Port Director Donna Sifford, U.S Customs and Border Protection, was off duty and shopping at Walmart in El Paso, Texas, when she heard a call go out over the store intercom. A Walmart employee told her that there was an active shooter in the store. Port Director Sifford heard gunfire and immediately directed fellow shoppers to exit the building as she escorted a disoriented elderly woman to a safe location outside the building.
Port Director Sifford then re-entered the store, while the shooter was still at large, and she continued to assist in evacuating additional shoppers. She encountered a victim who had suffered multiple gunshots. With the help of two Walmart employees, Port Director Sifford moved the shooting victim to safety, provided him with first aid, and contacted his mother who was hiding in a different area outside of the store.
Then Port Director Sifford went to aid another gunshot victim who was in his vehicle and helped facilitate his transport by another person to the hospital. Port Director Sifford then worked with another El Paso Police officer who had arrived on the scene to assist other victims.
During this violent incident, 20 individuals were killed and 26 were injured. Port Director Sifford demonstrated great courage in the face of extreme danger by acting without regard for her own safety to protect the shooting victims. She continued to expose herself in order to care for the injured, while the shooting suspect continued his assault.
Learn about all of the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery recipients