Power and precision were on full display inside the Allen Event Center Saturday, as hundreds of Taekwondo athletes competed in one of the largest tournaments in the country.
But on this day, the star of the show wasn't wielding a bo staff. She was wearing a badge.
"The support has been overwhelming," said DART officer Misty McBride. "You can actually feel that people care about us and love us."
McBride was working in Downtown Dallas on the night of July 7th and was shot twice -- once in the arm and once in the abdomen -- as she tried to help innocent bystanders escape from the gunfire.
It was a moment that hit close to home for the American Taekwondo Association, which organized Saturday's tournament.
"We're a family here," said Tom Allemier, who owns the ATA Academy in Rowlett and teaches there.
McBride's daughter Hunter has trained at the ATA Academy in Rowlett for years and has a black belt in Taekwondo. Many ATA instructors across the region know the McBride's personally.
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"We need to thank them," said Allemier.
They invited McBride to the tournament on Saturday and presented her with an honorary first-degree black belt, for going above and beyond the call of duty. The entire arena gave her a standing ovation.
"My heart melted," said McBride. "To feel this many people care about me -- there are really no words I can say."
The moment she stepped off the stage, a huge crowd surrounded her -- asking for pictures and autographs, giving her hugs, and thanking her for her bravery.
"This is some small token," said Allemier. "Some small token to give to her to show her how much we appreciate her. We can't do enough for her."
McBride said they've done plenty.
"We try to take things day by day," said McBride. "This helps that process go a little bit smoother."
