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DOJ honors medal of valor recipientsFire, police, EMS cited for bravery
April 15, 2004
Deputy Attorney General James Comey and Associate Attorney General Robert McCallum honored the recipients of the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor during a public ceremony at the Department of Justice. The six recipients of the award represent fire, police and emergency medical services from across the nation. The medal is the highest national award for valor by a public safety officer, honoring outstanding heroic deeds performed above and beyond the call of duty. The medal, authorized by the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor Act of 2001, is awarded by the president to public safety officers cited by the attorney general. Public safety officers are nominated by the chiefs or directors of their employing agencies and recommended by the Medal of Valor Review Board. The recipients were: James Ahern and John Ahern, paramedics, Boston Emergency Medical Services, Boston, Mass. Paramedic Unit 3 medics, James “Jim” Ahern and his nephew John “Jack” Ahern, responded to an emergency report of a man underneath a subway train at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. James and John Ahern arrived and found a male, still alive, with his torso and lower extremities entrapped in the undercarriage of the train that struck him. Authorities ordered all persons out of the pit because of the unstable position of the train, fearing that it would shift as it was lifted off the track bed, potentially crushing anyone who remained in the pit. The additional complication of intubating the victim to control his respiration was handled manually by Jim Ahern who positioned himself in front of the victim, ventilating him and shielding him from the train. Once the train was lifted off the track bed, Jack Ahern crawled back under the train and assisted Jim Ahern in extricating the victim. Kevin Fitzhenry, fire fighter, Bayonne Fire Department, Bayonne, N.J. Fire Fighter Fitzhenry was dispatched to a residence on fire. When he approached the scene, he was told that a woman was trapped on the second floor and, because of the intense heat, could not be reached through the stairwell. Fitzhenry grabbed a ladder off the truck and threw it against the building, reaching a closed window. He pushed in the window and crawled through the intense heat and heavy smoke to enter the room, putting himself in the direct path of the advancing fire to locate the victim. After finding the victim unconscious, he dragged her to the open window and lowered her out. Because of the rapidly deteriorating conditions, Fitzhenry dove out of the window to safety. He rejoined his crew and continued to combat the fire. Fitzhenry suffered second degree burns. Michael Muniz, police officer, San Antonio, Texas. Officer Michael Muniz responded to an emergency call regarding gun shots fired at a restaurant. Before receiving the call, three of his fellow officers had been seriously wounded by an armed suspect. When he arrived at the scene, the suspect, who was advancing toward the wounded officers, immediately turned his weapon on Muniz. Muniz was struck several times by the gun fire. Though wounded, Muniz drew his service weapon and returned fire, hitting the suspect. Both Muniz and the suspect continued to fire, while advancing toward each other, with multiple shots fired at point blank range. Muniz sustained four gun shot wounds before incapacitating his assailant. Marcus Young, police sergeant, Ukiah, Calif. Sergeant Marcus Young, riding with a 17-year-old unarmed police cadet, arrived at a local Wal-Mart store to investigate the report of an adult female shoplifter who had been placed into custody. As he escorted her to his patrol car, he was approached by an individual with whom the female suspect was associated. The individual threatened officer Young and refused to comply with repeated commands from Young to remove his hands from his jacket pockets. When the individual brandished a knife, Young grabbed his hand. The individual then withdrew his right hand from his jacket pocket, holding a gun and shot Young five times. Young was bleeding profusely, with a paralyzed right arm and left hand torn apart about two inches between the index and middle fingers. After stabbing a security guard who had come to help, the assailant entered Young’s patrol car, reaching for a firearm. Young, who was concerned for the well-being of others present, directed the police cadet to remove his side arm from his belt and place it in Young’s left hand. Despite his injuries, Young was able to return fire, fatally striking the assailant. |
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