[T]he Veterans of Foreign Wars honored three people at the Vermont Statehouse Thursday for their role in subduing a shooter in Barre alleged to have killed four people.
Washington County State’s Attorney Scott Williams helped to subdue Jody Herring after she allegedly shot social worker Lara Sobel as she left work on Friday, Aug. 7. Herring has been charged with first degree murder Sobel’s death, and prosecutors allege that Herring also shot and killed three of her relatives.
Greg McNaughton, the former Washington County State’s Attorney, and Andy Hockman were also honored for their role in protecting public safety that day.
After the ceremony, Williams said he felt “honored but conflicted” about receiving the award. He knew Sobel personally, and continues to have a relationship with her husband and daughters. Finding peace of mind in the aftermath of the violent incident has been difficult, he said.
“I have no interest myself in being recognized or acknowledged,” Williams said. “It is important for the community to know that those of us that will get in the way of things are here.”
Williams wore a purple plastic wristband to the ceremony emblazoned with the words “Lara Sobel Strong.” The band is part of a fundraiser for Sobel’s two children that was organized by the Vermont State Employees’ Association.
“We should as a community be willing to put ourselves out there when it’s necessary,” Williams said. “It’s not always somebody else’s job.”
Paul Perrault, of the VFW, lauded the three men for their automatic willingness to “simply do what needed doing.”
Lt. Gov. Phil Scott also made remarks at the ceremony honoring Williams, McNaughton and Hockman. Scott said recognizing the three men is a valuable part of the healing process for the community that was impacted by the shootings.
“Through the darkest of days comes some light and some good,” Scott said.
