East Texas A&M University adjunct instructor and alumnus Robert Mallett recently received a valor award recognizing his actions during a dangerous incident at the Killeen Mall in December 2024.

Mallett, then a lieutenant with the Temple Police Department, was off duty and shopping with his wife at JCPenney when a vehicle fleeing law enforcement crashed through the store. After initially approaching what appeared to be a medical emergency, Mallett realized the driver was continuing toward the mall concourse, where families and children were gathered. Mallett joined responding Texas Department of Public Safety and Killeen police officers as they confronted the driver. Five people were injured during the incident, but no civilians were killed.

Mallett brought decades of preparation to the encounter. His career includes more than 30 years of combined experience in corrections, policing, criminal investigations, supervision and higher education. He retired from municipal law enforcement at the rank of lieutenant and now serves as a sergeant investigator with the Office of Inspector General, as well as his duties teaching for East Texas A&M’s College of Innovation and Design (CID).

“We’re incredibly proud to have Robert as part of our adjunct faculty,” said Dr. April Sanders, dean of CID. “This recognition reflects the same character and commitment he brings to our students every day.”

Mallett is also a product of the flexible educational opportunities he now helps provide. While working in law enforcement, he completed his bachelor's degree through ETAMU's competency-based education (CBE) program before earning a master's degree in applied criminology.

The College of Innovation and Design offers flexible educational pathways designed to help working professionals apply existing knowledge and experience toward completing a degree while balancing career and personal responsibilities.