KATV: Criminal justice alum/faculty receives medal of valor

Arkansas deputy John Wright saves driver from burning vehicle

John Wright, a University of Cincinnati alumnus and adjunct faculty member, has been recognized for extraordinary bravery in the line of duty.

headshot of John Wright

John Wright, PhD

Wright, who in 1996 became the first graduate of UC’s doctoral program in criminal justice, has combined a career in higher education with public service. After earning his degree, he served on UC’s criminal justice faculty and today continues to teach online courses for the university.

In addition to his academic work, Wright serves as a deputy with the Garland County Sheriff’s Office in Arkansas. Earlier this month, while on patrol, he pulled an injured driver from a vehicle that had crashed and caught fire. Moments after the rescue, the car was fully engulfed in flames.

For his actions, Wright received the Medal of Valor, the highest honor awarded by the Sheriff’s Office.

The full story was reported by KATV, Little Rock’s ABC affiliate. 

Feature photo at top of Teachers-Dyers building, which houses the UC School of Criminal Justice. 

Impact Lives Here

The University of Cincinnati is leading public urban universities into a new era of innovation and impact. Our faculty, staff and students are saving lives, changing outcomes and bending the future in our city's direction. Next lives here.

Related Stories

2

Money matters

January 9, 2026

A Lindner-led team led by University of Cincinnati PhD candidate Sharmeen Merchant published “Gender Differences on Dual-Earners’ Money as Achievement Congruence and Needs-Supplies Fit" in the Journal of Business and Psychology. This research took an in-depth look at the psychological role money plays in households with two sources of income, and showed how a couple's alignment on financial needs impacts job fulfillment.

3

Removing Barriers to Higher Education

January 8, 2026

Cincinnati media covered the rollout of the Bearcat Affordability Grant which provdes a pathway to tuition-free college for students of famlies who make less than $75,000 per year and are residents of the state of Ohio.