Alexandria Congressional Shooting: First Responders Honored At White House

ALEXANDRIA, VA—Alexandria and Capitol Police officers received Public Safety Officer Medals of Valor from President Trump in a Thursday White House ceremony for their courageous response to the June 14 shooting.

The honors were awarded to Special Agents Crystal Griner and David Bailey of Capitol Police and Alexandria Police Officers Nicole Battaglia, Alexander Jensen, and Kevin Jobe. When a gunman, identified as James T. Hodgkinson, opened fire on a Republican baseball practice, Capitol Police began exchanging fire. Alexandria Police officers arrived minutes later at Eugene Simpson Stadium Park and began exchanging fire. Hodgkinson died of his injuries that day.

Like the Medal of Honor for military members, the Medal of Valor is the highest decoration for bravery exhibited by public safety officers. It is given to officers that "exhibited exceptional courage, regardless of personal safety, in an attempt to save or protect others from harm."

Alexandria Police Chief Michael Brown identified the three officers that engaged the shooter a week after the shooting. The three officers are on paid administrative leave and were not injured. Griner and Bailey were injured, as well as House majority whip Steve Scalise, legislative aide Zach Barth and lobbyist for Tyson Foods Matt Mika.

SEE ALSO: Steve Scalise Released From Hospital, Begins Inpatient Program

According to Brown, Jobe arrived at 7:12 a.m., with Battaglia and Jensen shortly following. Battaglia "immediately started taking fire from the suspect" and moved toward the gunfire. She was subsequently pinned down after receiving gunfire from the shooter.

Brown said, "That act alone probably, in my opinion, diverted the attention of the shooter away from the other officers, allowing them to get in position to deal with the situation."

President Trump also recognized first responders that attended from the Alexandria Department of Emergency Communications, Alexandria Fire Department, Alexandria Police Department, Alexandria Sheriff’s Office and others.

“Today, our nation honors these brave officers for their selfless actions to preserve human life. They are our heroes,” said Mayor Allison Silberberg in a statement. “We are deeply grateful to them and to the many first responders who ran toward danger that morning and saved lives. We also salute the many thousands of their colleagues in public safety who stand guard and spring to action all across our country each and every day.”

See the full ceremony and photos below.