U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

Officers Devon Perry, Jonathan Lewis, Noel Collver, Eduardo Espinoza, and Tony Luong, DeKalb County Police Department, GA

Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery
Description

On December 12, 2014, the DeKalb County Police Department received a report of a home invasion armed robbery in progress. The two suspects were reported to be armed with a combination of handguns and an assault rifle. Officers Jonathan Lewis and Eduardo Espinoza were the first to arrive on the scene, and were followed shortly thereafter by Officers Devon Perry, Noel Collver, and Tony Luong. The dispatcher updated the officers, advising them that the suspects had made entry into the apartment and that witnesses could hear the residents being physically assaulted. The officers attempted to make entry into the apartment building, but while trying to gain access to the interior of the building, Officer Lewis observed a suspect exiting the upstairs apartment with an assault rifle. Officer Lewis alerted the other officers and gave commands for both suspects who were now in view to drop their weapons.

The suspects were fully aware of the officers’ presence and ignored their orders. Officer Lewis saw the first suspects advancing on their position and advised the other officers on the scene to take cover. The suspects exited the breezeway door and began immediately firing at all the officers. Officer Perry was struck in the right calf by one of the suspect’s rounds. Officers Perry, Collver, Luong, Espinoza and Lewis all returned fire, striking the suspect but not stopping him.

While engaging the first suspect, the second suspect also exited the breezeway firing a barrage of bullets at the officers. As this second suspect approached Officers Espinoza and Luong’s position, they knew a violent close encounter was imminent. The second suspect fired at both Officers Luong and Espinoza, striking Officer Luong in the right thigh. Both officers returned fire, wounding and incapacitating this second suspect. Officer Luong then covered the suspect while Officer Espinoza secured him in handcuffs and took him into custody.

During the encounter with the second suspect, the initial suspect was able to flee into a heavily wooded area. The officers immediately focused on providing medical attention to Officers Luong and Perry, and on establishing a perimeter for the initial suspect. After a 4-hour manhunt, and with the assistance of many surrounding jurisdictions, the officers took the outstanding suspect into custody without further incident.

Media:

An officer being presented with a Badge of Bravery award
Officer Luong and Rep. Barry Loudermilk
A group of people standing together in a row at the Badge of Bravery awards ceremony
Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA), Officer Tony Luong, Assistant Chief of the DeKalb County Police Department Ed Jones, Major Crimes Deputy Chief (representing U.S. Attorney John Horn) Katherine Hoffer, Major KD Johnson of the (DeKalb Police Department) and Chaplain Mike Cronin
Two people standing together at the Badge of Bravery awards ceremony and smiling at the camera
Officer Luong and Rep. Barry Loudermilk
An officer being presented with a Badge of Bravery award
DeKalb County Officer Jonathan Lamar Lewis receives the Congressional Badge of Bravery in a ceremony at the Lou Walker Senior Center for his acts of heroism in the line of duty on December 12, 2014. (Office of Congressman Hank Johnson)
Two people standing together at the Badge of Bravery awards ceremony, holding an award plaque between them, and smiling at the camera
Rep. Rob Woodall presents Gwinnett resident and DeKalb County Police Officer Eduardo Espinoza with the Congressional Badge of Bravery (Washington Watch - 3/21/16)