Medal of Valor is the nation’s highest award for public safety officers.
New York:
A 27-year-old New York Police Department (NYPD) police officer of Indian descent and nine others were honored by US President Joe Biden with the Medal of Valor, the nation’s highest award for public safety officers.
Sumit Sulan was honored Wednesday at a White House ceremony for shooting a convicted felon who killed two of his colleagues as the trio investigated a domestic violence call in New York City in January.
Tribute to our heroes — fallen Detective Wilbert Mora, fallen Detective Jason Rivera, and Detective Sumit Sulan — who have been awarded the Medal of Valor by @POTUS.
The DEA is proud to represent and assist Sumit and Jason and Wilbert’s loved ones. #Never forgetpic.twitter.com/YnikniPyaM
— Detectives Endowment Association (@NYCPDDEA) May 17, 2023
According to police, three police officers, Mr. Sulan, Jason Rivera, 22, and Wilbert Mora, 27, visited New York’s Harlem neighborhood to investigate an 911 call from a distressed woman whose adult son threatened her and his brother.
The convicted felon ambushed the three officers and shot at Rivera and Mora, who later died of their wounds. Mr. Sulan was praised by the US President at the May 17 ceremony for being quick to act despite being a rookie in the NYPD at the time.
Today, President Biden awarded nine brave Americans the Medal of Valor – the highest honor this country can bestow on a public safety officer. pic.twitter.com/lFQhoGfun2
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) May 17, 2023
Today we joined our nation in honoring our brave fallen heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice, First Class Detectives Jason Rivera and Wilbert Mora.
For his bravery that night, Detective Sumit Sulan was awarded the President’s Medal of Bravery along with his brothers. pic.twitter.com/oBFIuam8KL
— Commissioner Sewell (@NYPDPC) May 17, 2023
“Detective Sulan was then just – with the precinct – the 32nd Precinct, for two months… He protected the mother and brother from gunfire, then drew his gun to fire twice, hit the gunman and ended the incident,” Biden said. was quoted in a White House press release.
Mr Sulan “ensuring the safety of civilians on the scene and knocked down the gunman with his service weapon, ending the deadly episode just 45 seconds after it began,” said Biden, who met with Sulan shortly after the incident .
“..The whole nation is grateful for the quick thinking, quick action and courage he has shown under fire,” Biden said, adding that the poise and bravery of the officers saved lives.
“He did a great job,” Mr Sulan’s mother said of her son, who emigrated from India about 15 years ago, while a police source described him as a “super rookie” after the incident.
The Medal of Valor is given for actions above and beyond the call of duty and displaying exceptional bravery, extraordinary determination, presence of mind and unusual swiftness in action, regardless of his or her (officer’s) personal safety, in an effort to save or save human life protection, the press release said.
