Ladies and gentlemen, the recipients of the medal of valor and who wrote commendations. [ applause ] ladies and gentlemen, the resident of the United States accompanied by the atty. Gen. The atty. Gen. Good morning everybody and ink you for joining us today. I would like to think resident for hosting this ceremony and let me say it is an honor to serve under a president who is so strongly a supporter of Law Enforcement and has the back of Police Officers and First Responders. Thank you mr. Pres. Thank you mr. Pres. [ applause ] we come together to recognize the extraordinary actions of 11 fellow citizens. The president has chosen to honor five civilian from texas who displayed an extraordinary degree of care for their fellow man putting their own lives at risk. We also honor six from a who put themselves between eye gunmen and a crowd of innocent civilians. For the people in dayton these officers were the thin blue line between life and death. The actions of these officers show that while the line is thin it may be strong. This is the nations highest Public Safety award. Officers across the nation are nominated by their peers but only a handful are selected to receive this honor. Traditionally this only occurs once a year but the law permits the atty. Gen. To expand the total number of exit recipients when exceptional instances of bravery as bravery arises. In the eyes of our nation this special recognition is warranted. Valor is a word we dont commonly hear. People can show courage and bravery confronting many different challenges but valor connotes a willing putting oneself in danger to protect others. We humans have a powerful instinct to flee. It takes a special kind of courage, a deep sense of duty and extraordinary character to overcome these impulses, and for the sake of others, to run toward the danger. We think god think god that on that as we honor the valor of these men we must recognize we cannot take them in the brother and sisters in Law Enforcement for granted. Serving as a Police Officer is the toughest job in our country and as they put themselves on the line they deserve our gratitude support. We are thankful not just for the courage of these officers of their families. We salute those families. You encounter long days and restless nights. Still you enter them for all of us. Our very ability to live normal lives, to go to school, to go to work, and pursue aspirations without fear, is only because of your sacrifice. The brave actions of todays honorees from dayton and el paso should awaken in all of us a new dedication to service and selflessness on behalf of our communities. God bless our heroes, their families, and thank you mr. Pres. For the opportunity to express our appreciation today. [ applause ] i want to thank the atty. Gen. For not only just today, doing an incredible job. Thanks so much bill, i appreciate it. I wanted to welcome you to the white house as we recognize 11 extraordinary heroes. These patriots responded to the worst violence and most barbaric hatred with the best of american courage character and strength. Face with grave and harrowing threats the men and women standing behind us step forward to save the lives of fellow americans. Few people could have done and what have done what they did. In a few moments i will award six Police Officers from dayton ohio with our nations highest Public Safety award, the metal of valor. I will also honor five americans from El Paso Texas with certificates of commendations recognizing civilians who displayed tremendous bravery. The light from these intrepid souls defy the darkest and confronted the most sinister danger. Would you all please join me in expressing our deepest gratitude and highest admiration to these unbelievably exceptional americans . Thank you. [ applause ] we are also joined by sen. John cornyn and several members of my cabinet. Most importantly to the families of our heroes you understand better than anyone the difference that your loved ones have made in the lives of so many americans. We treasure you and thank you from the bottom of our heart. Thank you. America witnessed horror beyond belief. Saturday, august 3 at a walmart in El Paso Texas, the soulless and bigoted monster killed 22 in his people and wounded 27 others. It happened very quickly. It was a racist attack motivated by pure evil. The next day a wicked murderer stole nine lives and injured 34 others. Our nations shocked and enraged by these sadistic acts of luncheon. We fail to comprehend how any person could he so warped by malice and content. Hearts break for the families who lost precious loved ones and americans grieve for those cruelly taken from us. In the midst of ingress anguish, when evil showed its hideous face americans rose up, they did, they rose up, they stared down death to protect the innocent, and stand tall they did for righteous and for good. Several days after the shootings the first lady and i visited both cities. We met with First Responders, hospital staff, survivors, and families. We will never forget the community and love that we saw, it was incredible. I had the privilege of meeting without a moments hesitation immediately and courageously engaged with the gunmen rescuing countless lives. Who knew, and who could even understand how many lives would have been taken if they did not act so quickly . After 1 00 on august 4, these officers were patrolling the streets of downtown dayton when a killer opened fire into an innocent crowd. The shooter continued as he ran down a sidewalk packed with people. Sgt. William knight was stationed in his cruiser 150 feet away. He heard the gunfire, jumped out of his car and quickly returned fire. Meanwhile ran directly toward the shooter and into the onslaught of bullets. Then offices brian rolfes, Jeremy Campbell , ryan nabel ryan nabel and vince accardo. They charge through the in the midst of chaos and constant fire. They stood square to the target, executed their mission, and brought down the murderers with precision gunfire. It was just before that maniac was ready to enter a very crowded restaurant and bar. Within 30 seconds of the start of the attack these officers and did the violent rampage and saved countless lives. It is my immense honor to award the medal of valor to those Law Enforcement heroes. Sgt. William knight, and officers brian rolfes , Jeremy Campbell, David Denlinger, ryan nabel, and David Denlinger , David Denlinger, on behalf of our entire nation, we thank you for your remarkable and historic actions in the line of duty and we want to thank you so much. What a great job youve done. Thank you very much. [ applause ] today we are honoring five americans who risked their lives to stay save others during the brutal attack at the walmart in El Paso Texas. Store manager robert evans was outside the entrance when he heard the gunmen fired the first shot. He instantly alerted employees of the act of shooter. He saw the killer heading toward the store so he raced inside and direct to customers to the nearest emergency exits helping hundreds escape to safety. Incredible. Robert, you exemplify leadership and selfless service. Thank you very much robert. [ applause ] thank you. Walmart employee Gilbert Serna heard roberts alert and immediately without hesitation guided dozens of shoppers to refuge through a rear exit. Pushing some people over a 12 foot wall and hiding others in shipping containers, so smart to think of that. A lot of people would run for your lives. They cleared out the back area a minute before getting there. Your resolve inspires us all. Marisela luna was managing the mcdonalds inside the walmart when the murder burst into the entrance. She gathered customers from the lobby and led them to other hiding places shielding them from the line of sight. Thank you for rescuing others from grave danger. Tunnels supervisor Angelica Silva is looking at another was working at another location when she got notified. She went straight to the scene to check on employees. Upon arriving she saw two people in the parking lot who were very badly wounded. She alerted First Responders and helped save the life of one of those severely injured thes. Thank you very much. [ applause ] chris grant was picking out snacks when he saw the murderer firing at innocent shoppers a few miles away from him. Chris grabbed, listen to this, soda bottles and anything else in front of him and begin hurling them at the gunmen, distract him from the other shoppers and causing the shooter to turn toward chris and fire chris. Chris suffered two very serious gunshot but is recovering well and we wish him the best. Please think chris for us. [ applause ] in the darkest moments of danger and despair god calls the bravest to action. These 11 individuals answered the call. They stared down evil, put love of neighbor above life itself, and we are less by their courage, honored by their presence, overwhelmed by their example, and forever inspired by the goodness of their hearts, the grace of their souls, and the enduring greatness of their deeds. To every one of the heroes we recognize today thank you and got less you all. Thank you very much. [ applause ] incredible. I would like to ask the military aid to come forward and read the citations please. The medal of valor is presented for the following individuals for bravery and closure in the face of an armed assailant intent on the murder of a dozen civilians in dayton ohio. The quick and decisive actions in the face of extreme danger neutralized the gunmen within seconds protecting the lives of hundreds of people. Sgt. William knight. [ applause ]. Officer brian rolfes. [ applause ] officer Jeremy Campbell. [ applause ] officer vincent carter. [ applause ] officer ryan nabel. [ applause ] officer train 14 train 14 David Denlinger. [ applause ] will the medal of valor recipients please take your seats . And the recipients of the commendation and commendation recipients please take the stage. The certificate of commendation is presented to the following individuals for acting selflessly and fearlessly to save hundreds from hateful gunmen opened fire at a walmart in El Paso Texas 2019. Each of these courageous civilians could have escaped to safety but instead put their lives in jeopardy to help neighbors find refuge and access desperately needed medical attention. Mr. Robert evans. [ applause ] mr. Gilbert serna. Miss marisela luna. [ applause ] miss Angelica Silva. Accepting on behalf of her son chris grant, miss minnie grant. With the medal of valor recipients please join the president on stage for one last group photo . [ applause ] [ applause ] ladies and gentlemen, please remaining your seats as the president departs