Expand / Collapse search
Watch TV
Menu

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2024 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper.

Police and Law Enforcement

Capitol Police officers shot while protecting Scalise are awarded 'Officer of the Year' honors

By Fox News
Published | Updated
close
'Officer of the Year Award' goes to Scalise shooting heroes Video

'Officer of the Year Award' goes to Scalise shooting heroes

The award was given to first responders who were present at the shooting of Rep. Steve Scalise

The two U.S. Capitol Police officers who jumped into action when a gunman opened fire at a Congressional baseball practice in Virginia last June were honored Sunday with a prestigious “Officer of the Year” award.

Special Agents Crystal Griner and David Bailey received the award from the International Association of Chiefs of Police for putting their lives on the line after a gunman shot and critically injured Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise.

Alexandria Police Department Officers Kevin Jobe, Nicole Battaglia and Alexander Jensen were also honored with the prestigious award.

CAPITOL POLICE CREDITED WITH PREVENTING 'MASSACRE' BY STOPPING SHOOTER

“Special Agents Griner’s and Bailey’s selection as officer of the year along with the 3 officers from the Alexandria Police Department is a significant honor from the law enforcement community and is a testament to their heroism on June 14,” said USCP Chief Matt Verderosa about the honor. “The Department, and I as their Chief, are tremendously proud of all of them and congratulate them.”

crystal griner reuters

USCP Officer Crystal Griner was awarded the Medal of Valor by President Trump at the White House on July 27, 2017. (REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst)

Both Griner and Bailey – who served as part of Scalise’s protective detail – were shot, but survived.

david bailey reuters

President Trump awards the Medal of Valor to USCP Officer David Bailey at the White House on July 27, 2017. (REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst)

After the shooting, President Donald Trump awarded the two USCP officers with the Public Safety Medal of Valor, and called their actions “heroic.”

“Many lives would have been lost if not for the heroic actions of the two Capitol Police officers who took down the gunman despite sustaining gunshot wounds during a very, very brutal assault,”Trump said. “Our brave Capitol Police perform a challenging job with incredible skill, and their sacrifice makes democracy possible.”

SCALISE SHOOTING: WHO WERE THE CAPITOL POLICE HEROES IN VIRGINIA?

Jobe, Battaglia and Jensen were also awarded the Medal of Valor.

Scalise in June thanked the Alexandria police officers for their service, but said he was “especially grateful” for Griner and Bailey, who “saved my life, and are my heroes.”

Fox News' Chad Pergram contributed to this report.