RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The Richmond Police Department honored the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Safety Ambassador on Friday morning in response to the tragic high school graduation shooting in 2023. In December 2024, Denise Smith, the unarmed civilian safety ambassador whose de-escalation efforts helped disarm the man who killed Richmond student Shawn Jackson right after his graduation, was given a Valor Award for courage. Now, Richmond Police is honoring that courage, too. Safety ambassador who helped disarm Huguenot High graduation shooter given Valor Award On Friday, March 28, Smith, along with a team of local first responders, was recognized at their annual recognition breakfast for their response to the high school graduation shooting that occurred nearly two years ago, according to a social post from Richmond Police. On June 6, 2023, two people — 18-year-old graduate Shawn Jackson and his stepfather, Lorenzo Smith — were shot and killed outside of the Altria Theater in Richmond after Huguenot High School’s graduation ceremony. After the shooting, VCU Police safety ambassador Denise Smith was unarmed when she interacted with Amari Pollard, who was 19 years old at the time of the shooting, and has since pleaded guilty to Jackson’s murder. This led to his arrest. Smith was a key witness during Pollard's trial. Pollard is currently serving 25 years in prison. ...read more read less