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.
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
These teeny spiders are social media stars
August 28, 2026
The New York Times turned to a University of Cincinnati professor to explain the appeal of jumping spiders on social media.
An internal divide among unions on AI impacts the Wisconsin gubernatorial race
August 28, 2026
Anne Lofaso, a professor in the Donald P. Klekamp College of Law at UC, spoke with Wisconsin Public Radio, about the schism among unions over AI and whether it is a plus, a negative, or somewhere in between when looking at job creation.
Campus buzz returns as UC students experience their first week
August 27, 2026
Near-perfect weather, record first-year enrollment, Thrifty Move-In and a packed Involvement Fair mark the University of Cincinnati’s first week back as thousands of Bearcats move into campus housing.