Top Cops Get Their Day With President

By Samar

Eight area law enforcement officers were welcomed to the White House by President Barack Obama on Friday, May 14, and were later honored at the 17th annual Top Cops awards ceremony, sponsored by the National Association of Police Organizations.

The Montana officers were Ranger Alexandra Burke of the Bureau of Land Management, patrolmen Tyler Edwards, Peter Glowacki and Robert Weber of the Glasgow Police Department, Deputy Sheriff William Soper of the Valley County Sheriff’s Office, Lt. Brian Erwin of the Wolf Point Police Department, Deputy Sheriff Daniel McKee of the Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office and Border Patrol Agent Phillip Wright of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

These officers were honored as among America's finest for their brave and decisive actions on Jan. 17, 2009, when a sniper killed Melissa Greenhagen and wounded Scott and Suzanne Billingsley in the parking lot of the Glasgow hospital. After a six-hour pursuit through the snow in the dark, the sniper was killed when he charged officers with a knife. The death was ruled a justifiable homicide.

President Obama called the Top Cops "real heroes," and said their actions were extraordinary. He said we owe them undying gratitude.

Montana Sen. Max Baucus and Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. were among those at the White House to congratulate the Top Cops.

"Montana is a safe state to live and raise a family because of the hard work and dedication of our top notch law enforcement," Baucus said in a statement. "The officers honored today went above and beyond the call of duty to protect Montana communities, and I am extremely proud of their sacrifices and service to our state. I offer them my humble thanks and heartfelt congratulations as they receive national recognition for their professionalism."

Baucus said that had it not been for the professionalism and courage shown by these officers, the tragedy might have been even worse.

Top Cops awardees are nominated by their fellow officers for outstanding service and selected by a committee comprised of national law enforcement representatives. The Montana officers were nominated by Glasgow Police Capt. Brien Gault. The top 10 Top Cops winners nationally were flown to Washington for the awards ceremony.