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Washington, DC - 9 September 2019
1. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:
"Today I'm honored to welcome you to the White House as we recognize eleven extraordinary American heroes. These incredible patriots responded to the worst violence and most barbaric hatred with the best of American courage, character and strength. Faced with grave and harrowing threats, the men and women standing behind us stepped forward to save the lives of their fellow Americans. Few people could have done and even would have done what they did."
2. Cutaway of Dayton officers
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:
"Just after 1am on August 4th, these officers were patrolling the streets of downtown Dayton when the killer opened fire into an innocent crowd. The shooter continued firing as he ran down a sidewalk packed with people. Sergeant William Knight was stationed in his cruiser about 150 feet away. He heard the gunfire, jumped out of his car and quickly returned fire. Meanwhile, Officer Brian Rolfes ran directly toward the shooter and into the onslaught of incoming bullets. Then officers Jeremy Campbell, Vincent Carter, Ryan Nabel and David Denlinger moved in, engaging the shooter at close range, calling upon years of training in the span of an instant. Within 32 seconds of the start of the attack, these six officers ended the violent rampage and saved countless lives."
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:
"To each of you, we are in awe of your swift response, sterling professionalism and rock solid nerves of steel. On behalf of our entire nation, we thank you for your remarkable and heroic actions in the line of duty and we just want to thank you so much. What a great job you've done. Thank you very much."
5. Side shot of Trump applauding the officers
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:
"In the darkest moments of danger and despair, God calls the bravest to action. These eleven individuals answered the call. They stared down evil. They put love of neighbor above life itself and we are blessed by their courage, we are honored by their presence, we are overwhelmed by their example and we are forever inspired by the goodness of their hearts, the grace of their souls and the enduring greatness of their deeds. To every one of the heroes we recognize today, thank you and God bless you all. Thank you very much."
7. Various of Trump handing certificates to civilian honorees who put themselves at risk when a gunman opened fire at a Texas Walmart
President Donald Trump presented the nation's highest award for public safety Monday to six Ohio police officers who responded swiftly to reports of gunfire last month in Dayton, confronted the shooter in under a minute and prevented more deaths.
Trump also recognized five civilians who put themselves at risk after a gunman opened fire at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, in August.
The twin shootings, hours apart, sparked renewed national discussion of gun control, a topic on Congress' agenda as it returned to session Monday.
"These incredible patriots responded to the worst violence and most barbaric hatred with the best of American courage character and strength," Trump said at the White House as he shared a stage in the East Room with the 11 men and women.
"Faced with grave and harrowing threats, the men and women standing behind us stepped forward to save the lives of their fellow Americans," he said.
The six police officers each received the Medal of Valor, established by law in 2001 as the nation's highest public safety award. Nine people were killed and more than two dozen were wounded in the early morning attack Aug. 4 in a bustling entertainment district.
Since they are civilians, the five individuals from El Paso, each received Certificates of Commendation for, Trump said, "displaying tremendous bravery" and helping others to flee the scene of the Aug. 3 shooting, in which 22 people were killed and many others wounded.
Trump had already recognized 14 public safety officers with the Medal of Valor earlier this year.
