13 police officers awarded Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor

WASHINGTON, May 16 (UPI) -- The Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor is the highest national award for valor presented to a public safety officer. The medal is awarded to public safety officers who have exhibited exceptional courage, regardless of personal safety, in the attempt to save or protect human life.

Thirteen police officers were honored at a White House ceremony Monday. Here are capsules on the honorees, provided by the White House with some minor editing:

Officer Mario Gutierrez (Miami-Dade Police Department, Fla.) For bravery and composure while enduring a violent attack. Officer Gutierrez sustained multiple stab wounds while subduing a knife-wielding assailant who attempted to set off a massive gas explosion that could have resulted in many deaths.

Patrolman Louis Cioci (Johnson City Police Department, N.Y.) For resolving a volatile encounter with a gunman. After witnessing the murder of his fellow officer, Patrolman Cioci pursued and apprehended the gunman at a crowded hospital, saving the lives of employees, patients, and visitors.

Officers Jason Salas and Robert Sparks (Santa Monica Police Department, Calif.), and Captain Raymond Bottenfield (Santa Monica College Police Department, CA) For courage and composure in ending a deadly rampage. Officer Salas, Officer Sparks, and Captain Bottenfield placed themselves in mortal danger to save the lives of students and staff during a school shooting on the campus of Santa Monica College.

Major David Huff (Midwest City Police Department, Okla.) For uncommon poise in resolving a dangerous hostage situation. Major Huff saved the life of a two-year-old girl after negotiations deteriorated with a man holding the child captive at knifepoint.

Officer Donald Thompson (Los Angeles Police Department, Calif.) For pulling a crash victim from a burning car. While off duty, Officer Thompson traversed two freeway dividers and endured first- and second-degree burns while pulling an unconscious man to safety from a car moments before it became engulfed in flames.

Officer Coral Walker (Omaha Police Department, Neb.) For taking action to subdue an active shooter. After exchanging gunfire, Officer Walker single-handedly incapacitated a man who had killed and injured multiple victims on a shooting spree.

Officer Gregory Stevens (Garland Police Department, Texas) For demonstrating extraordinary courage to save lives. Officer Stevens exchanged gunfire at close range and subdued two heavily-armed assailants preventing a mass shooting.

Fallen Sergeant Robert Wilson III (Philadelphia Police Department, Penn.) For giving his life to protect civilians. Sergeant Wilson put himself in harm's way during an armed robbery, drawing fire from the assailants and suffering a deadly wound as he kept store employees and customers safe.

Officer Niel Johnson (North Miami Police Department, Fla.) For swift action to end a violent crime spree. Officer Johnson pursued a man who had shot a Miami police officer and two other innocent bystanders, withstanding fire from an assault weapon, and apprehended the assailant. {b: Special Agent Tyler Call} (Federal Bureau of Investigation) For his actions to save a hostage. Special Agent Call, who was off duty with his family, helped rescue a woman from her ex-husband who had violated a restraining order and held the victim at gunpoint.

Deputy Joey Tortorella (Niagara County Sheriff's Office, N.Y.) For placing himself in grave danger to protect his community. Deputy Tortorella confronted and subdued a volatile gunman who had shot and wounded his parents inside their home. He prevented the gunman from threatening the safety of students at a nearby elementary school.