Last month, a lone wolf shooter opened fire during a practice for a Congressional baseball game.
Representative Steve Scalise (R-LA) was critically injured; he was recently released from the hospital.
Although the representative survived, he likely would have died if not for the heroics of first responders, including two members of his security detail, Capitol Hill Police special agents Crystal Griner and David Bailey.
Today, the special agents and three Alexandria Police Department officers were recognized by President Donald Trump, who presented them with the Medal of Valor according to CNN.
The president called the officers "great American heroes" who "saved so many lives."
Griner accepted her medal on crutches, still recovering from being shot during the operation.
Pres Trump bestows Public Safety Medal of Valor to Crystal Griner and David Bailey of US Capitol Police, two of 5 recipients. ????:@markknoller
pic.twitter.com/Gn65gyowtn— enjoynCHI (@enjoynChi) July 27, 2017
The officers were praised for their quick instincts in stopping the gunman, and were credited with preventing a massacre.
During the firefight that ensued after the gunman, James Hodgkinson, opened fire, both Griner and Bailey protected civilians despite their own wounds. They also both shot Hodgkinson, who later died of his wounds.
Bailey, 32, is originally from Brazil, and has served as a United States Capitol Police Officer for almost a decade.
President Trump presents Medal of Valor to U.S. Capitol Police Special Agent David Bailey, who was a first responder in Alexandria shooting pic.twitter.com/dJZiCDW1XX
— ABC News (@ABC) July 27, 2017
Griner is a former college basketball star; her former boss had nothing but praise for her.
“She is amazing, and she’s a hero,” retired Capitol Police chief Kim Dine told CBS News. “She epitomized what being a hero’s all about.”
President Trump bestows Special Agent Crystal Griner with the Medal of Valor pic.twitter.com/aBhXrcQsbN
— Michael Del Moro (@MikeDelMoro) July 27, 2017
Much has been made about Scalise, who once referred to himself as "David Duke without the baggage," being rescued by two black officers, one an immigrant, and the other a lesbian.
The other three officers honored today were: Nicole Battaglia, Alex Jensen and Kevin Jobe.
Congratulations to them all!