Officer Sam Lenda and Lt. Brian Murphy (FILE Photo: Andrew Beckett)
Two Wisconsin cops are honored at the White House for their heroic actions involving a mass shooting at a place of worship in southeastern Wisconsin.
Oak Creek Police Officer Sam Lenda and retired Police Lieutenant Brian Murphy were among 22 recipients of the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor. “All of you are cut from the same cloth,” said Vice President Joe Biden. “It’s kind of amazing to me.”
Biden hosted the event along with Attorney General Eric Holder.
Murphy was the first responding officer after a shooting spree at the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek in August of 2012. He was ambushed and shot multiple times. Lenda was second on the scene. He was able to “bring down” the shooter.
Biden recognized recipients for “extraordinary devotion to duty.” He said, “There’s no group of women or men more driven by an inate sense of loyalty and responsiblity than the women and men we honor here today. You’re a rare breed. You’re all crazy,” he joked. “We love you for it. We need you.”
AUDIO: Vice President Joe Biden praised those receiving the award. :20
Wade Michael Page killed six people in that massacre before Lenda was able to take him down. The shooter then fatally shot himself.
The medal is awarded annually to public safety officers “who have exhibited exceptional courage, regardless of personal safety, in the attempt to save or protect human life.”