The City of Phoenix Police Department recognized their officers at its annual “Pride in our Heroes” awards ceremony Tuesday night at Comerica Theatre in front of an audience of fellow officers, politicians and community members.
John Hobbs, an officer who died last year while following an investigation of a dangerous felon, won the Medal of Honor, the highest award given by the department. Other officers were honored for their various acts of heroism and service to the community.
On March 3, 2014, Hobbs and his partner recognized a suspect in a car and followed him. The two officers exited their vehicle after the suspect crashed his car and attempted to flee. The suspect immediately opened fire on Hobbs and his partner. Both were hit — Hobbs in the chest.
Despite his injury, he expressed concern for his partner, needing to know he was okay. Hobbs was taken to the hospital but was unable to recover from the wound.
Cathy Hobbs accepted the award for her late husband. Her head was held high as he was praised and his medal hung around her neck; her fingers absentmindedly stroked the velvet of the case as the speech went on.
Throughout the show, officer after officer walked onto the stage, and name after name scrolled down the screens.
Michael Lin rescued a 4-year-old girl from a kidnapper. Cassidy Madison and John Madison received a certificate of lifesaving for calling the police when Cassidy, a child, realized a baby was left alone in a hot car.
The ceremony, hosted by assistant chief Mike Kurtenbach and former CBS 5 anchor Catherine Anaya, featured appearances by city politicians and other community members, including Phoenix Suns President Jason Rowley and azfamily.com reporter Mike Watkiss.
Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton first took the stage to thank the officers of the Phoenix Police Department and all of the retired veterans.
“We are here to celebrate the great work of the men and women of the Phoenix Police Department,” he said. “Thank you for going above and beyond the call of duty.”
District 7 Councilman Michael Nowakowski took the stage to thank the officers of Phoenix, and to illuminate the risk they take every day.
“When you hear some of these stories, about chasing a suspect down by foot or rescuing a child from the clutches of a kidnapper it sounds like something from a movie,” he said. “But these acts of bravery and sacrifice are real. The police officers are real heroes.”
Nowakowski unveiled a banner that read, “Honoring our fallen heroes.” Underneath it was a picture of a fallen officer and his name. The banners will be hung around Phoenix to represent the fallen heroes of the city’s police department.
Contact the reporter at sarahbrooke1317@gmail.com.
