"Before I begin, let me say one thing I said to the families of the two deceased officers. All of you who’ve lost someone know that no matter how much you take pride in recognition of what they did when they were lost, it still brings back everything like it happened that moment. And I just say to the families, as I said to them personally at the time when I met them and now, it takes a lot of courage to do what you’re doing. And thank you. Thank you, thank you.
Attorney General Garland, thank you for your leadership.
And today it’s my honor to award nine brave Americans the Medal of Valor, the highest award this country can bestow on a public safety officer.
The award is given for actions above and beyond the call of duty and exhibiting exceptional courage, extraordinary decisiveness, presence of mind, and unusual swiftness in action, regardless of his or her personal safety, in an attempt to save or protect a human life."