Aurora Honors Top Cops Of 2018 For Role In Deadly Shootout

AURORA, IL — Two Aurora police officers who were injured in a 2018 shooting were recently named the city's top cops. Investigators Colin Griffin and Matthew Huber were recognized as the 2018 Officers of the Year for their role in pursuing and ultimately killing an armed suspect during a shootout.

On March 22, 2018, Huber and Griffin tried to pull over a man who was later discovered to have been recently released from jail on gun charges. Police say that when Huber and Griffin came up to the man's car, he told them he "wasn't going back to jail" before opening fire and striking Griffin in the leg.

Hubert and Griffin returned gunfire and began pursuing the suspect, who crashed into a car in downtown Aurora and began to flee on foot. While attempting to flee, the suspect kept firing at Griffin and Huber and "refused to surrender," police say.

Griffin and Huber ultimately flanked the suspect, shot and killed him.

In a news release Monday, Aurora police commended Griffin and Huber for their "heroism and dedication to the community." The investigators were praised for remaining calm throughout the incident —despite Griffin having a gunshot wound and Huber a shoulder injury— and calling for the necessary backup "to bring aid in assistance and in stopping the continued threat."