At the White House Monday morning, President Barack Obama awarded the Medal of Valor to 13 police officers noted for their bravery and valor while in the line of duty, including one from Western New York.
Among the group was Niagara County Sheriff's Deputy Joe Tortorella. Obama noted that the officers play life-saving roles.
"Had it not been for their bravery, we likely would have lost a lot of people -- mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, friends and loved ones. Thankfully, they are still with their families today because these officers were where they needed to be most," Obama said.
Tortorella, 44, responded to a 911 hang-up from Errick Road in Wheatfield in April 2015, when he was confronted by a man who had already shot his own parents.
The deputy was shot in his bullet proof vest, but was still able to call dispatchers to put Errick Road Elementary School into lockdown.
The Medal of Honor is the highest national award for public safety officers.
