Video: 3 Ala. Police Officers Receive Medal of Valor
By Gary Cosby Jr.
Source The Tuscaloosa News, Ala.
When Officers J. Berch and M. Michaels of the Tuscaloosa Police Department arrived at The Links late in the afternoon on Jan. 25, a man with a gun fled from them, took cover and then opened fire.
Berch was hit by a round, which, fortunately, stuck in his bulletproof vest. Michaels was injured in a fall as she pulled back and radioed for help. Officer R. Prewitt arrived, flanked the gunman and opened fire on him, giving his fellow officers a chance to retreat to safety.
Berch suffered only bruised ribs from the fired round, while Michaels was treated and had to undergo rehabilitation for her injury. On Friday, all three officers were honored by the Tuscaloosa Police Department with the TPD's Medal of Valor while Berch and Michaels were also awarded the Police Cross.
The Medal of Valor is given to officers who, knowingly and intelligently engage in an act of courage that places the officer at risk or in imminent danger of death, according to the department. The Police Cross is given to officers who have been wounded while involved in a hostile act.
All three officers declined to comment on their awards, but Maj. Heath Clark, commander of the patrol division, said of the officers, "Officer Michaels is the longest-serving officer of this group. Our younger officers have come in here, we are a very young department right now, but they have come in here and have dedication, a willingness to go out and do the job. I couldn't be prouder of them the way they did the job."
Clark said it takes a deep commitment from officers to go out and do police work with all the uncertainty the job can hold.
"Deep down, they know there are challenges out there that are not normal to normal people. They are willing to accept that challenge. We've had instances before with armed conflict with our officers and a suspect. I can't think of a time where they haven't acted appropriately," Clark said.
"The suspect was a known gang member and had been involved in several shooting events in Mississippi and had made threats in Mississippi that he would shoot any officer that tried to apprehend him. He was taken into custody later in the evening at The Links," said Police Chief Brent Blankley.
During his comments at the ceremony, Mayor Walt Maddox said, "We are embracing policing. We understand you are the line between calm and chaos. You are what protects this community. Yours is profession wrought with danger ever time you clock in."
Clark said it takes a special commitment from not only the officers who go to work every day but also their family members who have to stay home and worry about their safety.
"The city and the citizens ought to feel proud and safe," Clark said.
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