Good morning and welcome to the u. S. Capitol police medal of honor ceremony. I am the chief of police. The assistant chief and i are honored to host this era money to recognize the many heroes in danger on ao faced baseball field in arlington, virginia on june 14. Officially start the program, what everyone rise for the presentation of the colors by the u. S. Capitol police ceremonial unit. The opening prayer will be offered by reverend patrick conroy. Chaplain of the u. S. House of representatives. Order arms. Let us pray. God of mercy, we gather here to recognize the men and women in blue, both of the u. S. Capitol police and the Alexandria Police department, who responded and executed their charge with exemplary courage. Special agents Krystal Griner and david bailey, officers jensen, areander heroes to their colleagues and to all at the u. S. Capitol and the city of alexandria. For their Rapid Response to the cowardly attack upon the republican Baseball Team, which was dangerously exposed on a quiet neighborhood ball field. Thanks to their selfless actions, all present that day are with us today. It testifies to their create to their courage. Bless them with all your graces as the medal of honor is bestowed upon them here. May they and their families and loved ones know of our appreciation for the sacrifices they make every day so the security of the capital and the city of alexandria is guaranteed and may we all be inspired to serve others as we are able to express it in our lives and work. And we pray in your most holy name, amen. Please be seated. Thank you very much. Honored guests, members of congress, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to todays ceremony. This morning is an opportunity for our department to recognize five Heroic Police officers who risk their lives to protect members of congress and citizens during an active shooter incident. Over the past several months, we have learned much about the incident and some things may never be known. On june 14, it was a day that changed the lives of many people. And we can all take great comfort in the fact that through the actions of these officers and the many of the individuals involved in this event, numerous lives were saved and tragedies prevented. What i do know about june 14 is that the bravery of these Police Officers makes me proud to be chief of police. I know that alexandria chief Michael Brown feels the same about his outstanding officers, as well. As someone once said, bravery is not the absence of fear. It is action in the face of fear. Later today, the department will recognizing her rohit her heroic actions of others involved in the incident and the excellent work of those who responded to the scene as well as those involved in the detailed investigation to bring closure to this incident. Today, the purpose of this ceremony is to award these Law Enforcement officers with our highest honor, the medal of valor. It is heartwarming to know that there are brave individuals who embody what is right about america and more specifically, what is right about Law Enforcement. These are people who we owe a great debt and we are proud to work alongside such great men and women. The musician gerard way noted that heroes are ordinary people who make themselves extraordinary. I could not agree more. These are five unassuming people who acted in an extraordinary way when fate brought them together on june 14. It is now my pleasure to invite guests to say a few words. I would like to welcome the democratic leader of the house of representatives, the honorable nancy pelosi. Pelosi thank you, chief. Thank you for bringing us together this morning so that we can appropriately acknowledge, not that it is enough, but an expression of our appreciation. To you, thank you. It is an honor to be with you, our speaker, and democrat and Republican Leaders of the senate, Chuck Schumer and which and mitch mcconnell. It is an honor to join you to honor the heroes of the shooting in june. We are also pleased to be here with representative Steve Scalise whose recovery is a blessing to us all. To see him healthy and walking is to see our prayers answered. We thank jennifer and his children for the constant love and support that has made his recovery so possible. Thank you. It is also a privilege to be here with zachary, matthew, and the coach, joe barton. , weehalf of my colleagues congratulate you on your welldeserved middle of marriage. With all of your courage in the face of that despicable act and the sense of community you have shown each other as you and your colleagues recovered. I know i can say on behalf of democratic Baseball Team they are so proud of all of you. During his two years as president as new York City Police commissioner, Theodore Roosevelt said it was his great honor to single out men for special mention because of some feet of heroism. Today, we have the honor of singling out five heroes. Men and women in recognition of their extraordinary bravery. Mentionedd conroy earlier, i think we cannot say their names enough. Special agent david bagley. Special agent Krystal Griner. Officer nicole battaglia. Officer alexander jensen. And officer kevin jodey. For facing down danger, for selflessness, and for meeting danger with courage. Your grace under pressure is an inspiration to us all. Many of us will remember the attack on our Capitol Police euros nearly 20 years ago. Twohat tragic afternoon, officers were brutally gunned down in the line of duty. Today, as we celebrate the heroes of the alexandria attack, we must also remember the service of those two great men. Words fromthe great the new testament. Than is no greater love laying down your life for another. And our special heroes today, we are paying our the membersall of of the Capitol Police, house and senate. Recognitionou, our of the bravery we have seen is a recognition of the risk that you take to make the capital of the United States and those who serve here, both as members of congress or the senate, but also as staff, press, and the visitors that come to see our great democracy in action. To each and every member of the Capitol Police, thank you. To all of our officers who , thank you for your patriotism and service. Each date you accept duties briefly. The membersu serve of congress, foreign dignitaries, Staff Members and visitors from across the world. Your patriotism and service reminds us that as members of congress, house and senate, of our own responsibility to make a Better Future for all. We are profoundly grateful to you for making that happen. Thank you and god bless you all. [applause] thank you, leader pelosi. We appreciate those kind words. Now joining us is the honorable charles schumer. Thank you chief. And to all who are about to be honored, with either the the medal of merit or of honor, i salute you all. The Capitol Police devote themselves entirely to the safety of members of congress and the public who visit our buildings daily. Every morning, the men and women of the Capitol Police, like all police, put on their uniform writing for the kind of day that the rest of us typically enjoy. A routine one. Most days, praise god, this is the case. But on the rare and terrible exception, the Capitol Police are asked to put their own lives at risk in the defense of others. I recall the tragedy in 1998 when two officers gave their lives ensuring safety or the capital. Our purpose today is to honor the bravery of the officers who recently met the call of duty ofer the most horrific circumstances. Officers who woke up one ordinary morning to escort majority whip steve scullys to an early baseball practice where they were met by unexpected unexpected and an unhinged attacker. Actions whose decisive propelled by an instinctual courage and selflessness, averted tragedy and saved lives. Horror of june 14, 2016 2017 will forever stick in my mind. Fortunate that capitol Police Officers Krystal Griner and david bailey, alexandria officers the colbert alea, Alexandra Jensen and kevin job, you, wereng, they, her was a personified. And we are the ones for honored with the medal of merit and the medal of honor. Thank you. T y, senator schumer. Next, please join me in welcoming mitch mcconnell. You, chief. Today is another chance for each of us to both recognize and thank the men and women of our Capitol Police for everything they do to protect our nations capital, the people who work your, and the millions who visit this important symbol of our democracy. The u. S. Capitol police stand as , and dateuard routinely put in service before self. They have earned our unyielding gratitude. Each and every day, i have the opportunity to interact with these Law Enforcement officers. They always exhibit professionalism, it diligence, and service. I have had the privilege of working with some of them for many years. I know them. I am incredibly thankful to each of them for their dedication. In addition to the Capitol Police, we are also pleased to honor the many other Law Enforcement agencies that responded to that Alexandria Park on june 14 when our own members and staff were under attack. These men and women were we are honoring today ran for the threat and stopped it. And we cannot ever thank them enough. When most of us leave home for have any given day, we number of things on our minds. Meetings, deadlines, tasks to be accomplished. Officer they never know for sure what a day could bring. And neither do their families. And yet, they walk out the door just the same because for them, what they do, its more than just a job or a career. It is a calling. And we are so grateful that they do. Point, one need only say this it is so great to see steve scullys with us today. Se with uscali today. Along of course with the other Staff Members that were on the field that day. And what a blessing that is. The men and women of Law Enforcement go out each day to face the unknown, to help and assist people in their community, to confront challenges that others simply would not. Why do they do it . Courage. Duty. Honor. That is what i think. On behalf of the Senate Family and the capitol community, i share a simple message with the men and women of the Capitol Police and the Alexandria Police department for their heroic efforts that day. Simple though it may be, it is a you. Re and enduring thank [applause] you senator mcconnell. It is my honor to welcome the speaker of the house, the honorable paul ryan. Paul ryan thank you, chief. To thank all of the Capitol Police and i want to thank our local Law Enforcement and the Alexandria Police officers. We want you to know that you and your families mean so much to us. For many of us, you are family. To us and to our families. Get theirse officers due, is another milestone in all of our collective recovery. Even as we try to go back to normal, we see that we were so close to losing so many of our friends. Seeing steve buzz around on his gouda, it makes us so grateful that we even root for ellis you he even if it conflicts with our own interests. We would not be doing our jobs if we do not move if we did not move forward without saluting these heroes. Your bravery and gods grace brought us together in those first difficult hours. There is one story from that day that i want to share with you quickly. It was about 4 00 in the afternoon that day, and aj bailey came into my office to see me. That day at 4 00. He was on his crutches. His pants were torn. His back pocket was ripped. Same clothing. We sat down in my office and spoke for about 10 minutes. He calm late me through for about 10 minutes what had happened. Here i was on the edge of my steve andking about the others and i realized that he was putting me at ease. He was reassuring me. Except for the two things that i mentioned, the crutches in the ripped clothing, you would have had no idea that just a couple of hours earlier that day, this mans life was in danger. Quiet, smiling, levelheaded guy that we know. Fromave to say talking to all of the members of the Baseball Team that day, hearing their stories and walking through exactly what they saw happened, it is so livesl clear that so many would have been taken that day if it were not for these five people. [applause] actionsal honors the that they took to save all of these lives in the face of this may it honor the grace and the these officersat showed in the days and weeks after, as well. Spotlights, they never do that. But that quiet professionalism, courage, its their training, it is their code, but we can all learn from it and from draw some inspiration it. It is what united us after this attack. It is how we have emerged a family. S i think its how we are emerging stronger as an institution, this branch of government. So just on behalf of all of us congress, the Country Congress as an institution, thank you for saving the lives of our friends. Debt. L always be in your thank you. [applause] thank you, mr. Speaker. Before i present our first award i would like to make three presentations. First, i would like to invite the coach and manager of the republican team, representative barton representative roger centers to join me on stage. The department would like to andent congressman Barton Williams on behalf of the entire republican Baseball Team the medal of merit. Tos medal is awarded citizens for a number of reasons. Among them is for demonstrating an emergency. In recognition of heroism and bravery [inaudible] present the team with the medal of merit. [applause] many thanks to both of you. Would now ask matt mica me for abarth to join special presentation. The department would like to theent both of you with United States Capitol Police medal of merit. The inscription reads in recognition of your bravery in the face of lifethreatening active shooter and for the critical injuries sustained during the shooting incident , 2017. Ng on june 14th we present you with the medal of merit. [applause] congratulations, guys and were very happy to see that your well. Ry is going so finally, at this time, i would like i would ask that joinessman Steve Scalise me at the center stage. The next medal goes to representative scalise for his courage under fire as well as determination to come back from the critical injuries he sustained. Speak for everyone when i say were very glad to have sir. Ere with us today, in recognition of your bravery in the face of a shootereatening active and for the injuries sustained during the shooting incident occurring on june 14th. Of merit. [applause] i really want to thank everybody for coming out to pay the Police Officers who sacrificed their lives for us. So often you dont see the heroism and the bravery and the professionalism because they quietly do their job. Day,hey do their job every knowing that maybe one day, they respond to some kind of tragedy. Weve seen tragedies before. In look at what happened sutherland springs. Out toyers still go those families, 26 dead. You look at the shooting in many liveshere so were lost and so many are still fighting for their lives. June 14th could have turned out the exact same way. Know what the outcome would have been if not for the the bravery of the men and women on this stage. Crystal and david, theyre like to jennifer and i. Detail,of our security they go with us, not just here at the capitol, but when we go when were traveling around and just doing it had things youve got to do in this job, theyre there every step of way and they always know that theres going to be a time just like the rest of our detail if they have to respond. Nobody saw it coming. They were practicing on a and when thed shots went out, it wasnt long in and justjumped nobody canings that describe. When you look at the firepower that was coming at home, heavily outgunned, and yet they went danger. The nicole and alexander and kevin, they came running towards the danger, too, and these five women prevented what would have been a mass execution. A lot of members of congress that are here today wouldnt be here today. Here today without the heroism and their bravery. Mention. To i know tiffany, crystals wife is here. Tiffany thank you, i know youre providing great care to crystal, and its so good to see crystal without her boot on now so shes closer. She keeps challenging me. She actually inspired me to get went crutches and then she down to one crutch, and now shes down to no crutches and no am so glad to see you getting so much better and one day youre going to be back to and david, tiger blood. This unique had bond and he knows what that it embodies everything that they represent, to go towards the danger. Thatwant to mention davids mom came here from brazil. Thank you so much for coming. [applause] herow every mom is proud of children, but just know your the lives of saved over a dozen members of congress and the staff that were out on ballfield today. If he would have not have gone towards the danger, confronted shooter, the outcome would have been incredibly different. It would be a horrible tragedy than anything we could imagine but it wasnt. It wasnt because of the heroism of your son and i know youre of him on a regular basis but know hes a hero to all of coming here you for from brazil. It really is a treat to see you. [applause] so i just want to thank everybody for coming out and participating in this. I truly want to thank the United States Capitol Police. Andow you have training everybody trains for a tragedy, but clearly, the training that your officers through gives them the skills that they needed that day to save the lives of so many others and so i truly appreciate all of our Capitol Police, all of my security. Could i ask all of my security up . Il to stand they dont like the limelight, all, they all protect our families. They protect all of us. [applause] we thank you. Tearing up,start im here today because of the heroism of these brave men and women. Thank you so much for your sacrifice, for putting your the line and its great to see you all back here. Ande all Getting Better again, this could have been a tragedy like so many others and it wasnt because of their heroism so thank you for paying the tribute this highest honor, for theseof honor brave men and women. Thank you all for being here. [applause] congressman, scalise. At this time, i would like to join me onrown to stage next to officer jensen and assististant chief to with the presentation. Its now my great pleasure to spruce five outstanding brave Law Enforcement officers. When i call your name if you stand up. Please [reading names] the United States Capitol Police of honor is the departments highest award and its been awarded only a handful in 189 year history. Its bestowed upon the departments employees who have exhibited great courage and have livesarily risked their in the performance of an act resulting in the direct benefit statesrs or the united Capitol Police. Historically, this award is reserved only for u. S. Capitol officers. However, on june 14th, the efforts transformed uniform colors and department names. Making the im executive decision to also recognize these 31st responders from the Alexandria Police as well as our two special agents. All remember that sunny morning of wednesday, june 2017. Members of the u. S. Capitol police dignitary protection were assigned to protect House Majority whip Steve Scalise. Scalise was at the Eugene Simpson stadium park in alexandria practicing for the baseball gamety with approximately 25 members of team, whichan included several numerous members of congress, several staff and family. Approximately 7 06 a. M. An assailant emerged from the parking lot near the field, the fence on the third base side. A had in possession 7. 62millimeter caliber sks rifle and a ninemillimeter handgun. Approximately 7 09 a. M. The assailant opened fires on the members on the field and staff were practicing. In response to these gunshots, forial agents radioed assistance and immediately engaged the assailant with the department issued handguns in an to pin him down and prevent him from getting to the people. D injuring more during the gun battle, special agent griner was shot in the round,eg with a rifle but continued to return fire to try to stop the shooter as she maintained cover near her assigned vehicle. At that time, special agent bailey also engaged the shooter by returning fire. Special agent bailey was injured in his anklements during the engagement. The initial engagement of the by special agent bailey and griner fended off the gunman confronting an unarmed group and bought precious time. Patrol units from the Alexandria Police department arrived and these three alexandria officers joined the gun battle. Officer kevin job was the first to respond. He cameited his screak under fire and without cover crossed a large open area to special agent bailey was positioned. Seconds later, officer jensen arrived at the field. Upon arrival, the officer jumped vehicle, moved towards the shooter and immediately took fire from the suspect. She took cover behind the structure and was pinned down diverting the shooters attention from the other and victims on the field. When officer Alexander Jansen arrived on the scene he was able to take cover behind his vehicle and engage the shooter in an exchange of gunfire which was to strike him, causing the shooter to partially collapse rifle. P his assault the shooter then retrieved his pistol, stood up and began the officer. With the shooters attention diverted, officer job and agent bailey then moved towards the shooter driving him towards home plate. To fireosed the gunman and he was struck in the chest by one of the agents rounds. Of this round caused the shooter to rotate away and his left side in officer jensens line of sight while engaging theb were suspect from the front, he him in the left hip. The entire event was over at 7 15 a. M. Officer job and special agent bailey then began life saving suspect. On the however, he later succumbed to his wounds. Assailant attack, the shot four individuals. Specialman scalise, agent bailey, congressional aide zach barth and matt mica. All thankfully, are recovering well from their injuries. The brave and selfless acts of these five Law Enforcement professionals are credited with saving numerous lives that day due to their heroic engagements of the active shooter who was than 6 60 riflee rounds and eight handgun rounds the sixminute gun battle. Would all five of you please at center stage. [applause] [inaudible] [applause] [inaudible] thank you all. [applause] i would again like to thank the congress, the leadership, police board, and all of the public outpouring that has officers fore their gratitude. Certainly, it was an and wedinary event certainly have extraordinary officers up here on stage. Agents andf these officers, they truly represent whats good about america and whats good about Law Enforcement. Now, if you would all please remain standing for the closing prayer. I would like to welcome dr. Black, chaplain of the senate to the podium. Let us pray. Eternal god, the giver and life, the destiny towards whom all life flows, we for this award haveony, for those who demonstrated exemplary courage freedom. Tment to lord were grateful that in our given us the see heroes and liberatingoved in their who more than self country loved and mercy more life. Lord, weve been reminded today greater love exists than onesingness to lay down life for others. God, i ask for these award richestts, your blessings. In all of their tomorrows, bless and keep them and their loved ones. Face to shine upon them and be gracious to them. Lift the light of your giveenance upon them and them your shalom, your peace. Pray in your sovereign name, amen. Thank you, dr. Black. Ladies and gentlemen, this concludes our program for today. Thank you, everyone for joining us and helping us celebrate with these five officers. You. [applause]
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