Steve Penley’s Portrait Acknowledges Nashville Police Who Responded To The Massacre At Covenant School

Police were called to the Covenant School on March 27, 2023, after Audrey Elizabeth Hale started firing at the kids and faculty. Following the massacre, which left three 9-year-olds and three adults dead, the neighbourhood was left in shock.

“That choice was—that choice wasn’t a choice. On behalf of the other police, Det. Sgt. Jeff Mathes stated that it was what was expected to occur.

Before 10:30 a.m., law officers had fatally shot Hale on the second story of the school building, save numerous lives in the process.

“I’ve been thinking about what the term or the word patriot means since I found out about this, and the only thing — I can’t think of a definition — but I can think of people from times all the way across our history as a nation,” Mathes continued.

“On behalf of the Metro Nashville Police Department, there are patriots that I’ll accept this for, but patriots like our friend and detective on our team — Eric Wegner — he ran outside and was the stimulus of getting shot. He got shot at, and that’s what we needed to find what we needed and the work that we needed to do. So being a patriot is going for others, respecting each other, respecting your country and most importantly, putting your God first.”

Additionally, the five Nashville police officers received a portrait by Steve Penley as a token of appreciation.

“I’ve made a career out of painting American icons and heroes, and you guys fit right into that story, so I’m proud to be here and honored to be a part of it,” Penley said.