President Obama Gives Emotional Tribute To Fallen Phila. Police Officer
By Ian Bush
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Public service. Selfless sacrifice. Exceptional courage. They're the characteristics shared by thirteen law enforcers, given the Medal of Valor today at the White House. Among them, a Philadelphia police officer who was killed last year while protecting others.
President Obama offered the thanks of a grateful nation.
"...one hero, we honor posthumously today..."
President Obama grew emotional when talking about Sgt. Robert Wilson III.
"He gave his life when two men opened fire at a video game store where Sgt. Wilson was buying his son a birthday present," the president said. And to the Wilson family, in attendance at the East Room ceremony: "Please know how deeply sorry we are for your loss, how grateful we are for Sgt. Wilson's service."
As the officer's sacrifice was recounted, the president kept his head bowed, his arm around Wilson's grandmother Constance. He presented her with the medal, whispered words, and hugged her, to extended applause.
"A sad occasion got me here, but it was a privilege to be here to be able to accept the award for Robbie -- that's our pet name for him," said Constance after the ceremony, noting her grandson's death left a "hole in her heart."
"He loved his job and he did what he was trained to do," she said. "I miss him a lot. I look forward to seeing him again in the future in the resurrection."
The Medal of Valor is recognition not sought by Sgt. Wilson and men and women like him, but earned through an instinctive sense of responsibility. It's awarded to men and women who put strangers before self in the name of serving their communities, marking extraordinary courage in protecting the lives of others.
President Obama says the rest of us have an obligation too: to support law enforcers and their loved ones by showing respect and offering the resources they need.
