U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Statement on Oak Creek Officers Receiving Medal of Valor

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) released the following statement after two Oak Creek, Wisconsin officers were presented the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor in a ceremony earlier today. Retired Lieutenant Brian Murphy and Officer Savan "Sam" Lenda of the Oak Creek Police Department were honored by Vice President Joe Biden and Attorney General Eric Holder for their courage during the deadly Sikh Gurdwara shooting in August 2012. Baldwin is scheduled to meet with Lieutenant Murphy and Officer Lenda tomorrow morning in her Capitol Hill office.    

“On behalf of the State of Wisconsin, I would like to commend Lieutenant Murphy and Officer Lenda on receiving the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor. Their selfless actions on that tragic day were nothing short of heroic. They represent the best of Wisconsin’s law enforcement community and I am grateful for their service and commitment to keeping our communities safe.”

The Medal, created in 2001 by an act of Congress, is the highest national award for valor by a public safety officer. It is awarded “to public safety officers who have exhibited exceptional courage, regardless of personal safety, in the attempt to save or protect human life.” 

To read the full list of recipients, click here.