Dallas (WBAP/KLIF News) – The Dallas Regional Chamber of Commerce is honoring the nine police officers wounded in the line of duty July 7th with the Courage in Public Service Award.
The honor was awarded to four members of the Dallas Police Department, three from the Dallas Area Rapid Transit Police Department, and two from the El Centro College Police Department.
Officer John Abbott and Corporal Bryan Shaw with the El Centro PD were on duty the night of July 7th, and were wounded as gunman Micah Johnson shot his way into the school. Abbott says the support of the community has been a help in his recovery.
“We were a tight community before; we’re even tighter now,” said Abbott. “It’s good to see that people are understanding that we have a tough job to do, and that we’re doing the best we can with what we have.”
El Centro Police Chief Joe Hannigan said unlike the physical wounds, which usually heal fairly quickly, psychological wounds can last for years.
“Any human being that gets involved in such a stressful, horrific, combative situation is going to have some type of mental reaction to it,” said Hannigan. “It’s gonna be with them for the rest of their lives.”
Seven of the nine officers wounded in the line of duty were on hand to receive the award.
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