Michael Landsberry

Michael Terrence Landsberry (January 20, 1968 - October 21, 2013) was an American math teacher, and Afghanistan war Marine. During the Sparks Middle School shooting, he unsuccessfully attempted to reason with the shooter, Jose Reyes, before being shot and killed.

Michael Terrence Landsberry
Born	January 20, 1968 Birmingham, Alabama
Died	August 21, 2013 (aged 45) Sparks Middle School, Sparks, Nevada
Cause of death	Gunfire, murder
Nationality	American
Occupation	Teacher, former Marine
Known for	Attempting to protect children during the Sparks Middle School shooting, along with confronting the shooter.
Spouse(s)	Sharon Landsberry
Children	2 stepdaughters
Military career
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Marine Corps
Rank	master sergeant (E-8)
Battles/wars	War in Afghanistan (2001–present)
Awards	see awards section below

Early life and education

Landsberry was born in Birmingham, Alabama on January 20, 1968.[1]

Landsberry attended McQueen High School in Reno and graduated in 1986.[2] He lettered four consecutive years in swimming, soccer and cross country. After he graduated in 1986, he had a bachelor's degree in education. In 1996, he graduated from the Truckee Meadows Community College with associate degrees in criminal justice and law enforcement. In 2000, he received a bachelor's degree in elementary education from the University of Nevada, Reno. He received a master's degree in education administration and supervision from the University of Phoenix in 2005.[1]

Military career

In 2001, Landsberry enlisted in the Nevada Air National Guard and was assigned to the Aerial Port Flight. In March 2006, Landsberry deployed to Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, and performed duties as an airlift validator for the Central Command Deployment and Distribution Center. In May 2011, he deployed again to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, where he performed air transportation functions for the 455th Expeditionary Aerial Port Squadron.[1] He attained the Corporal rank and served as a field wireman until becoming a master sergeant.[2]

Awards

His military awards include: the Commendation Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Air Force Achievement Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, the Good Conduct Medal, the Reserve Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Sea Service Ribbon, the Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon, the Navy Arctic Service Ribbon, the Air Force Longevity Service Award, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the NATO Medal, the Nevada State Commendation Medal, the Nevada Humanitarian Service Ribbon, the Nevada Air National Guard Overseas Deployment Ribbon, the Nevada Meritorious Service Ribbon and the Nevada Guard Service Ribbon.[1]

Teaching career

Landsberry began working for the Washoe County School District in 2001. For four years, he taught history, math and science at Trainer Middle School. He was also a teacher at Greenbrae Elementary School for a year in 2006, and in that same year, he started teaching math at Sparks Middle School. Throughout his tenure as a teacher, Landsberry coached middle school basketball, cross country, track, volleyball as well as high school soccer.[1]

Murder

On October 21, 2013, Jose Reyes opened fire on the school's campus with a 9mm semiautomatic handgun and injured two students.[3] He then shot Landsberry in the chest before killing himself. According to Jorge Martinez, a 13-year-old student, Landsberry's last words before being shot were "Get to a safe place. Something really bad might happen." Xena Allen said that Landsberry told the students to get down and said to Reyes, "Put it down. It's not worth it".[4]

Legacy

In 2013, the Reno Gazette-Journal posthumously recognized Landsberry by awarding him with the Citizen of the Year award. He was nominated per a consensus, as most people nominated Landsberry to be awarded.[5]

The Washoe Education Association started a scholarship named "The Michael Landsberry Memorial Scholarship". It is awarded to a high school senior who plans on attending a 2-4 year college or vocational school.[6]

During his concert in Incline Village, Billy Ray Cyrus presented a memorial plaque to Landsberry's widow, Sharon, on July 5, 2014.[7]

The United States Air Force posthumously awarded the Airman's Medal to Landsberry and the National Guard Association of the United States awarded him with the Valley Forge Cross for Heroism.[8]

Personal life

Landsberry is survived by his wife, Sharon Landsberry, along with his two stepdaughters.[2] In 2015, Sharon won a settlement of $100,000 from the Washoe County School District for the death of her husband. She also received $44,000 for the 148 sick days accrued by her husband.[9]

References

1. Ross, James (23 October 2013). "Teacher, Airman Landsberry remembered as hero". 152nd Airlift Wing. United States Military. Retrieved 2021-01-04.
2. Almasy, Steve; Hollingsworth, Victor (2013-10-22). "Slain Nevada teacher Michael Landsberry calmly gave others time to escape". CNN. Retrieved 2021-01-04.
3. Shoichet, Catherine E.; Watts, Amanda; Johnston, Chuck (2013-10-21). "Nevada school shooting: Teacher killed, two students wounded". CNN. Retrieved 2021-01-04.
4. McAndrew, Siobhan. "Students recount terror amid Nev. middle school shooting". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2021-01-04.
5. Clifton, Guy. "Slain Nev. teacher named 'Citizen of the Year'". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2021-01-04.
6. "WEA Scholarships – Washoe Education Association". www.weatoday.org. Retrieved 2021-01-04.
7. "Billy Ray Cyrus Honors Michael Landsberry at Concert". KTVN. Retrieved 2021-01-04.
8. Corona, Marcella. "Slain Nevada teacher gets military honors". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2021-01-04.
9. "Wife of teacher slain in school shooting gets settlement". Associated Press. Retrieved 2021-01-04.

 This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Army document: James Ross. "Teacher, Airman Landsberry remembered as hero". Retrieved 3 January 2020.