WASHINGTON — Six Dayton police officers were awarded the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor at the White House for their heroic efforts during the mass shooting in Dayton in August.
Sgt. William C. Knight and officers Brian Rolfes, Jeremy Campbell, Vincent Carter, Ryan Nabel and David Denlinger were awarded the Medal of Valor Monday during a White House ceremony.
The Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor is the highest national award for valor by a public safety officer and is given to officers who have displayed exceptional courage, regardless of personal safety, in attempting to save or protect lives.
On Sunday, Aug. 4, the six officers responded to the Oregon District after a shooter opened fire around 1 a.m., killing nine and injuring 27 more in less than 30 seconds. The officers were able to eliminate the threat in that short amount of time, preventing even more deaths and injuries.
President Donald Trump presented the award to the six Dayton officers, as well as five other officers who responded to the mass shooting in El Paso, Texas just a few hours before the Dayton mass shooting.
“These incredible patriots responded to the worst violence and most barbaric hatred with the best of American courage, character and strength,” Trump said during the ceremony. “Faced with grave and harrowing threats, the men and women standing behind us stepped forward to save the lives of their fellow Americans. Few people could have done, and even would have done, what they did.”
Just now, President @realDonaldTrump honored 11 incredible patriots, each of whom stepped forward to save lives in the face of violence and hatred last month in Dayton and El Paso. pic.twitter.com/8OQdnLcoMv
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 9, 2019
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