WASHINGTON — President Obama called on the nation Monday to support and listen to its law enforcement officers as he bestowed the Medal of Valor on 12 officers who risked their lives savings others, and one who died.
In a ceremony in the East Room, Obama draped the purple-and-yellow ribbons around the necks of officers who intervened in shooting rampages, hostage sieges, and an armed robbery. He pledged to keep working toward a bipartisan overhaul to make the criminal justice system fairer, smarter, and more effective so that officers are well-equipped to enforce the country’s laws.
‘‘We can show our respect by listening to you, learning from you, giving you the resources that you need to do your jobs,’’ Obama said. ‘‘Our country needs that right now.’’
Three Santa Monica, Calif., officers — Jason Salas, Robert Sparks, and Captain Raymond Bottenfield — were honored for their response to a 2013 rampage on a community college campus that left five people dead. Confronting John Zawahri in the campus library, the officers shot and killed him when he pointed his assault weapon at them.
Obama also honored Gregory Stevens of suburban Dallas, who exchanged gunfire with two armed men outside an exhibit hall holding a provocative contest for caricatures of the prophet Mohammed. Both gunmen were killed, heading off what investigators say was a planned mass shooting.
One of those honored, police Major David Huff of Midwest City, Okla., saved a 2-year-old girl who was being held at knifepoint after negotiations with her captor deteriorated.
One Philadelphia officer died from a gunshot wound and was honored posthumously. Sergeant Robert Wilson III drew fire from assailants during a robbery while saving store employees and customers. Wilson’s family accepted the award on his behalf.
The other officers honored were Mario Gutierrez of the Miami-Dade police; Louis Cioci of Johnson City, N.Y.; Donald Thompson of Los Angeles; Coral Walker of Omaha; Niel Johnson of North Miami, Fla.; FBI Special Agent Tyler Call; and sheriff’s Deputy Joey Tortorella of Niagara County, N.Y.
Associated Press
