OAK CREEK, WI (WTAQ) – The national accolades continue for two Oak Creek police officers for their heroism at the Sikh Temple shooting massacre in 2012.
Wednesday, officer Sam Lenda and retired lieutenant Brian Murphy will receive the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor during a ceremony in Washington.
Vice President Joe Biden and Attorney General Eric Holder will be on hand to present the award — which is given to officers who show “exceptional courage” in their efforts to save or protect lives.
Last August, Lenda and Murphy both received the Congressional Badge of Bravery.
Earlier, they were among 8 officers honored at the White House by President Obama. Six worshippers were killed in August of 2012 when white supremacist gunman Wade Michael Page stormed the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin just before its Sunday service.
Murphy was the first officer on the scene — and he suffered over a dozen wounds in a gunfight with Page. Lenda shot Page just as the gunman had killed himself.
The White House said Murphy and Lenda both committed “selfless actions” which helped save many other lives.
(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)
