MOUNT GILEAD, OH –U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan (OH-4) today awarded the Congressional Badge of Bravery for heroism to Morrow County Detective Brandon Moore, who was wounded in the line of duty in October 2010.

“Every day, we ask our law enforcement officials to put their lives on the line to fight fires and address robberies– to patrol dangerous neighborhoods and investigate violent crimes. And while we may never guarantee their safety, in honoring their service we give gratitude for their sacrifice,” Brown said. “That’s what today is about. This commemoration embodies the very American values of honor, duty, and sacrifice that we see in Detective Moore. And on this day and each day, we thank all those who serve in uniform—as well as their families—for their continued commitment to their communities.”

"Detective Brandon Moore’s calm, courageous actions in the face of possible death perfectly exemplify why Congress created the Badge of Bravery Program in the first place.  He is among our nation’s true heroes, putting his own life on the line to protect others,” Jordan said. “We are grateful for his sacrifice in the line of duty, and thank him and his family for giving us the opportunity to recognize him with this award."

Detective Moore, a nine-year veteran of the Sheriff’s office, was struck five times by open fire in an incident that occurred south of Mount Gilead.  Despite his immediate injuries, Detective Moore disabled his assailant, which saved lives and led to three arrests and seizure of marijuana and firearms. Moore is one of only 21 law enforcement officials in the nation being honored with the 2010 Congressional Badge of Bravery.

The Congressional Badge of Bravery is an annual award given to public safety officers who display bravery in the line of duty.  Created in 2008, when Congress passed the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery Act of 2008, the award honors the exceptional acts of bravery that law enforcement officers engage in while in the line of duty. Often, such acts place the officers involved at personal risk of injury or result in their sustaining a physical injury. The badges are awarded annually by the U.S. Attorney General and are presented by the recipients’ Congressional representatives.

In May 2011, Brown introduced the National Blue Alert Act of 2011 that would create a national “Blue Alert” system aimed at apprehending criminals who injure or kill law enforcement officers serving in the line of duty. According to the FBI, 56 law enforcement officers were feloniously killed in the line of duty in the United States in 2010. Law enforcement agencies also reported that 53,469 officers were assaulted while performing their duties in 2010.

A national “Blue Alert” system would be modeled after the “Amber Alert” system currently used to notify the public about a missing child. The nationwide alert system would be used to disseminate critical information about the suspect to law enforcement agencies, the public, and the media. When a Blue Alert is activated, media broadcasts and Department of Transportation messaging signs would be utilized to distribute information identifying a detailed description of the offender, the offender’s vehicle, and license plate information. C.O.P.S. notes that such an alert could help hinder the assailants’ ability to flee the state and might also facilitate a speedy capture of the criminal, helping eliminate the threat they would pose on other communities and law enforcement personnel.

 

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