APD Officer Jonathan Butler, Justice major, and two other officers awarded Medal of Valor on Police Memorial Day

L to r: APD Officer Christian, Officer Butler, Officer Barth.

Anchorage Police Department Officer Jonathan Butler, a Justice major, and two colleagues, Officer Matthew Barth and Officer Eric Christian have been presented medals of valor for their response to a small aircraft crash on August 24, 2013 at Merrill Field Airport.

A medal of valor is awarded to a police officer for an exceptionally courageous act where the officer had prior knowledge of the physical risk and dangers involved.  The officers and a civilian, John Lameroux, ran to the burning aircraft to extinguish the flames and extricate two occupants.  They were able to free the occupants and pull them to a safe location. Tragically, the occupants did not survive, but the officers and the civilian worked heroically to rescue the individuals from a volatile and dangerous event.

The presentation to the APD officers is being made today, May 9, on Police Memorial Day.