Top cops honored at White House

OBAMA'S REMARKS

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Welcome to the Rose Garden. Ladies and gentlemen, let me begin by saying --

THE PRESIDENT: They can sit down.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: They can sit -- yes, you can sit down. (Laughter.) I just assumed you were going to sit down. I apologize. Thank you, Mr. President. Tommy -- you stay standing up, though, for me. I don't want you -- (laughter.)

Let me begin by saying congratulations. It's an honor to be in the presence of the best of the best here standing behind us. You're all been an inspiration to the men and women of not only this country, but your fellow officers. You've been an inspiration to the thousands and thousands of people who strap on a sidearm and go out every day to do their job.

When you strap on that sidearm and you walk outside your home every morning -- every morning, or evening, depending on their shift -- your wives and your husbands that you leave behind know that you are literally putting yourselves in harm's way, every time you walk out that door.

And the President and I recognize the bravery you display simply by putting on that badge every day -- just putting the badge on. The officers honored here today have been singled out for going above and beyond the call of duty and we commend you all. But we also know that there are thousands more like you in communities throughout this country, large and small, doing their part every single day -- as we speak right now -- in their communities, making them safer but also making the community stronger.

Today is a day for every man and woman in uniform to feel proud of you, and to feel proud of themselves. Today is a day for the entire community of police officers to see how much America appreciates their courage, and to let you know that the President and this administration appreciate your courage, as well. Your sacrifices and acts of heroism don't go unnoticed. I think sometimes you must feel like they do. You do your job every day, you don't expect any particular thanks or gratitude, you change people's lives for the better and -- but it's warranted on a day like today to pay special recognition.

You've already seen some evidence of the President's commitment, beyond his entire career of being committed to law enforcement. The President's commitment to the level of support for law enforcement can be seen in the Recovery Act. Over $4 billion was placed in that emergency legislation to hire new officers, for new equipment such as bulletproof vests, and for new technologies, to give you the tools to do your jobs more safely and more efficiently.

You keep us safe. We owe you. (Applause.) We owe you to put you in a position where you can keep yourselves safe, as well.

And you've seen the President's commitment to you by bringing this ceremony back to the Rose Garden. Mr. President, in the Roosevelt Room you said you wanted to let the public know. And I was about to say -- which I'll say here -- and that's why the President wanted it back here in the Rose Garden.

So there's no mistake, there's no mistake that this President and this administration appreciates what you've done. We know this commitment -- (applause.) I'll conclude by saying, you should know this commitment will not stop today or tomorrow or next month or next year. We're going to work and continue to work, as the President has his entire career, for what serves you best so that you can serve us as best and as bravely as you have.

Ladies and gentlemen, while we don't say it nearly enough, thank you, thank you, thank you for all what you do.

So Mr. President, the Top Cops for 2009, a superior group of real heroes, are waiting to hear from you, boss. It's all yours. (Applause.)

THE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you, Joe, for the wonderful introduction. Welcome, all of you, to the White House, and for joining us on this beautiful spring day. It is an extraordinary privilege to celebrate these Top Cops who have traveled here to be recognized for incredible acts of courage and quick thinking, which prevented harm and saved lives.

Before I speak more about these outstanding officers, there are just a few wonderful members of Congress that I want to introduce. Representative John Conyers, one of the deans of the House of Representatives -- (applause) -- Republican Emanuel Cleaver from Kansas City -- (applause) -- and Representative Lucille Roybal-Allard, great to see you. Thank you so much. Please give them a big round of applause. (Applause.)

Now, I don't know if you guys are aware that we have a nickname for Joe Biden around here in the White House. Joe has been overseeing the way funds are being used under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to ensure tax dollars are going toward the intended purpose of creating jobs and aren't being wasted. So we've taken to calling him "the sheriff" -- because nobody messes with Joe.

And I want you to know that he is making sure that money is getting on the ground helping local communities, including making sure that money is going to allow local communities to hire more police officers and make sure that they've got the equipment and the training they need to succeed.

I also want to thank Attorney General Eric Holder for being here and for his leadership at the Department of Justice, which oversees much of the funding in the recovery plan and the budget that will be providing local law enforcement the resources they need.

And finally, I want to give a particular welcome to the leaders of the National Association of Police Organizations, including their outstanding president, Tom Nee. Thank you so much for being here.

This is an event that we are glad, as Joe mentioned, to bring back to the White House -- after a period of absence -- in honor of these fine officers and the folks across the country they represent: the men and women who walk the beat, who answer the call, and do the difficult work of keeping our neighborhoods safe. And it's no surprise that many police officers -- including many of you -– have served in our military, or are serving still as members of the Reserve.

Of course, it's not a difficult thing for a President, or a Vice President, or anyone one of us to praise you. You deserve it. You've rescued hostages held at gunpoint. You've ended violent standoffs. You've taken on gunmen in the face of grave danger, refusing to give up or back down even after suffering serious injuries. You've reacted quickly in crisis to protect the innocent. You've reacted with compassion for those that were in need. And you've literally walked through the fire to help your neighbors escape disaster.

That's what police officers do. You step into harm's way to form -- officer by officer, block by block, neighborhood by neighborhood -- the line between safety and violence, calm and chaos, hope and despair. And for that it's not difficult to offer our praise. But you deserve more than just praise. For it's far more important that we actually support you; that we match these words which come so easily with the work that can and must follow.

Right now, for example, at this moment of economic challenge, one of the greatest concerns is that we'll see state and local governments forced to lay off police officers -- even though we know that crime has a tendency to go up when the economy is in dire straits. We've seen that in my own hometown of Chicago and many other cities.

So we can't back down, because the job of every American depends on the job you do -- and the resources that enable you to do that job well. Police officers know better than anyone: A neighborhood that isn't safe is a neighborhood that isn't growing, that won't see old businesses hiring new workers, or new businesses opening their doors. You know how devastating crime can be; how it can shatter lives and undermine whole communities.

And that's why the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act includes $1 billion to save or create about 5,500 jobs through the COPS program. And there's another $2 billion in grants which will help keep police officers on the beat and in the job.

In fact, in March I went to Columbus, Ohio, to speak at their police academy's graduation ceremony. And these new officers are now protecting the streets of Columbus because of those grants -- and there are similar stories being told in precincts all over America.

The budget we passed builds on the recovery plan, providing additional funding for the COPS program as well as for Justice Assistance Grants, also known as the Byrne-JAG program. Taken together, we're making a significant down payment towards my administration's goal of adding 50,000 police officers across this country. (Applause.) And that's only part of what we're doing to provide law enforcement with the tools and resources necessary to keep people safe.

As you know, this is a difficult moment for our nation. But at a time when we face economic crisis born partially from irresponsibility on Wall Street and in Washington, I'm heartened by the folks who are standing behind me today who've demonstrated, with acts of selflessness and bravery, what it means to be responsible; what it means to be a problem-solver, a mediator, an investigator, and protector all wrapped into one; what it means to wave goodbye to your families and start another shift unsure of how it will end; and what it means to put your life on the line for a partner or a stranger in order -- in other words, what it means to serve.

So I want to thank all of you for this extraordinary service. I am honored to welcome you to the White House. I'm proud to offer my congratulations, my appreciation, and most importantly my administration's unwavering support.

God bless you and God bless the United States of America. Thank you, all, for joining us here today. Thank you.

BACKGROUND ON 2009 NAPO TOP COP AWARD RECIPIENTS

Arizona - Phoenix Police Department

· Fabian Gonzalez, Police Officer

Case: Officer Gonzalez is being honored for his courage in stopping an armed offender while he was off duty and without bullet-proof gear. On April 27, 2008, a man started shooting at a crowd at a movie theater parking lot while using the mall security guard as a shield. After an unsuccessful attempt to get the man to drop the gun, Officer Gonzalez shot the offender, freeing the security guard and preventing any harm to civilians.


California - Los Angeles Police Department

· Richard Alba, Police Officer
· Michael Barker, Police Officer
· Charles Buttitta, Sergeant
· Thomas Chinappi, Police Officer
· Floyd Curry, Police Officer
· Douglas Dingman, Police Officer
· German Hurtado, Police Officer
· Mark Nee, Police Officer
· Michael Odle, Police Officer
· George Ryan III, Police Officer
· Anthony Samuelson, Police Officer
· Daniel Sanchez, Police Officer
· Stephen Scallon, Police Officer
· James Veenstra, Police Officer
· David Keortge, Police Officer

Case: The 14 Los Angeles Police Department officers are being honored for their bravery and teamwork in a dangerous standoff with an assailant responsible for four deaths. On Feb 7, 2008, the L.A.P.D. responded to report that a distressed man killed his family, was suicidal, and had hostages. When the SWAT team arrived at the residence and initiated a forced entry, the man opened fire, hitting two officers – one of them fatally.

As this ensued, officers provided sniper cover from the roof, which enabled the offender’s wife to safely flee the hostage situation. At this point, the suspect fired upon the officers who were forced to take him down.


Florida - Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office

· William Badala, Deputy Sheriff
Case: Deputy Badala is being honored for his tactical and reactive skills and brave, quick action when responding to a routine unwanted guest call that unexpectedly turned to a dangerous exchange of fire. On October 22, 2008, a Palm Beach resident who had been denied access to his vehicle by a tow truck operator, violently attacked workers in tow shop.

By the time Deputy William Badala arrived on the scene, the offender had fired shots with an assault rifle, striking two workers. The angry customer returned to his SUV, as Deputy Badala approached. The customer then retrieved a loaded AK-47 from his car and aimed it at the Deputy. After an extended shooting match, Deputy Badala shot down the suspect.


Georgia - Tifton Police Department

· Dorminey McCrae, Police Officer

Case: Officer McCrae is being honored for swift and decisive actions that brought an end to a dangerous situation where no one but the perpetrator was harmed. On April 7, 2008, Officer McCrae was dispatched to a retail store where a man held a 16 year-old female hostage at gunpoint. Officer McCrae slipped into the store unnoticed and transmitted information over radio without being detected. As the suspect attempted to escape, police officers arrived and blocked all exits. Officer McCrae took careful aim and disabled him with a high risk shot, saving the young hostage.


Idaho - Boise Police Department

· Chris Davis, Police Officer
· Jason Rose, Police Officer

Case: Officers Davis and Rose are being honored for putting their lives at risk to save residents of Boise, Idaho in one of the most damaging fires in that city’s history. On August 25, 2008, Officers Chris Davis and Jason Rose were two of the first to respond to the fire. The officers stormed from house to house, evacuating residents. Both officers were engulfed in flames after a series of explosions. Fire melted their uniforms; they were knocked down by the force of the blast, and reduced to using sprinklers to put out the fire on their own bodies. Both officers continued to work on a mission to save as many people as possible, despite their injuries. As a result, there was only one fatality in what could have been a much greater disaster.


Illinois - Skokie Police Department

· Timothy Gramins, Police Officer

Case: Officer Tim Gramins is receiving the TOP COP award for stopping an armed robber and demonstrating exceptional skill in the face of personal danger. On August 25, 2008, Officer Gramins gave chase after an armed man who was attempting to escape a bank robbery. The suspect abruptly started shooting in a crowded street. Under a barrage of gunfire, Officer Gramins protected onlookers without regard to his own life and took down the suspect.


Louisiana - Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office

· Rhonda Goff, Deputy

Case: Deputy Rhonda Goff is being recognized for her courage and decisiveness in a confrontation with fugitive robbers. On October 20, 2008, while off duty, Deputy Goff saw three men covered in blood coming out of a bar. She investigated and broadcasted her need for back-up and medical assistance. Although outnumbered three to one, she confronted the suspects, handcuffed them and found numerous stolen wallets in their possession. When backup arrived, they found four more wounded victims inside the bar and then discovered that three more men had been involved in the robbery. Deputy Goff quickly obtained a license plate number from a witness and put it on the radio, enabling detectives to track down the remaining robbers before they could flee the area.


Michigan - Dewitt Township Police Department

· William Darnell, Police Officer

Case: Officer William Darnell is being honored for demonstrating courage and strength while injured, and for ensuring cover for his partner in the face of an armed offender. Officer Darnell arrived at a victim’s apartment building after receiving a domestic violence call. As Officer Darnell searched the building, the perpetrator shot him in the face and escaped up a flight of stairs. Despite tremendous pain, the officer was able to hit the emergency button on his radio to alert dispatch, and managed to drag himself into a position to return fire. Another officer arrived and helped Darnell to bring down the suspect. After being wounded, Officer Darnell could easily have crawled to safety. Instead, he mustered every bit of strength and courage to hold on for his partner’s sake.


Missouri - Kansas City Police Department

· David Loar, Police Officer
· Christopher Skinner, Police Officer

Case: Officers Loar and Skinner are being honored for going above and beyond the call of duty to help a man in need. On December 31, 2007, while responding to a burglar alarm, Officers Loar and Skinner found a homeless man named Harold sleeping in an underground parking. These two cops, using personal time and money, helped Harold get back on his feet. The helped him secure housing, furniture, obtain a copy of his birth certificate, a new Social Security card, a checking account and a new state I.D. In addition they ensured that Harold was receiving Medicare benefits, his Social Security pension, and discovered that he qualified for a lump sum back-pay check. These officers did everything they could to help a man restore his dignity and livelihood and are an exemplary model of officers going beyond the call of duty in their service to the community.


Pennsylvania - Philadelphia Police Department

· Brian Freas, Police Officer

Case: Officer Freas has been selected by his colleagues for this honor because he moved quickly to avert a major tragedy. While off duty and on his way home from the hospital where his wife had just given birth to his son, Officer Freas witnessed a violent car accident on the highway. Both vehicles involved in the collision were perched at the edge of a 40-foot drop-off. Struggling to get out of the car, the occupants shifted their weight and caused the vehicle to tip toward the edge of the drop-off. Officer Freas pulled aside and rushed to the scene. He applied his full weight to steady the SUV while he helped them out of the vehicle. He then proceeded to rescue the other car’s occupants. Due to the Officer’s swift and bold actions, there were no fatalities or life-threatening injuries.


International - Drug Enforcement Administration

· John Archer, Special Agent
· William Brown, Special Agent.
· Paul Craine, Assistant Special Agent in Charge
· Brian Dodd, Supervisory Special Agent
· Louis Milione, Supervisory Special Agent
· Nicholas Nargi, Assistant Special Agent in Charge
· James Soiles, Assistant Special Agent in Charge

Case: The seven special agents are being honored for bringing a renowned terrorist to justice. This group of Special Agents planned a five year undercover operation to bring down Monzer Al Kassar, a man responsible for supplying the weapons that were used in the 1985 Achille Lauro high-jacking. The special agents infiltrated Kassar’s circle of associates by posing as representatives of the Colombian drug trafficking group, the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC). As FARC members, they pretended to seek modern-day weapons. The team recorded hours of these negotiations. Kassar was then tricked into believing he was meeting with a high level FARC commander and was arrested in Spain on U.S. charges. In addition, two of his associates were arrested in Romania where they had traveled to receive what they believed was payment for weapons. On November 20, 2008, the US jury convicted these terrorists on multiple terrorism charges.