After a 19-year-old former student opened fire at Dixon High School this morning, a School Resource Officer who stopped him is being hailed as a hero.

WQAD in the Quad Cities shared a photo of the officer, Mark Dallas, "whom students are crediting" with taking down the suspect.

In case you're wondering what a Resource Officer is, they "work hand in hand with the school administrators and teachers. The officers not only perform everyday police duties, they also help teach classes and counsel students" per discoverdixon.org.

The story is making national news too. According to CBS News, Dixon Police Chief Steven Howell said "the suspect fired several shots near the school's west gym and was then confronted by the officer assigned to the school. The suspect fled the school and the officer pursued him, Howell said. The gunman then fired several shots toward the officer, who shot back, wounding the suspect."

The suspect was later arrested and "the injury (wound) does not appear to be life-threatening" said Dan Langloss per ABC 7 in Chicago.

Howell later said of Dallas, "he 'could not be more proud' of the officer who ran toward the suspect and said his 'heroic actions' saved "countless' lives."

Facebook users have chimed in on what had happened at Dixon High School this morning. Sue Scull says "if that officer had not been there who knows how many lives would have been lost, even the suspect is alive, job well done, all schools need this training and yes armed officer or officers depending on size of school."

Sweet Lenny is the brand manager of 97ZOK and Operations Manager for Townsquare Media Rockford. Catch him afternoons 3 to 7 on 97ZOK. Follow him on TwitterInstagram and like his page on Facebook.

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