2007–2008 Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor
Captain Edwin Lynn O'Berry
Fire/Rescue, Palm Beach County, FL
On April 8, 2009, Fire Rescue Captain Edwin O'Berry was one of several firefighters at the Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Station 31 changing shifts when they saw Officer Doug Rua of the Palm Springs Police Department struck in the head and rendered unconscious by a robbery suspect. Captain O'Berry retrieved his personal firearm from his vehicle, jumped a 6-foot fence with barbed wire on it, and ran to Officer Rua's aid. Another firefighter followed Captain O'Berry, and he dragged Officer Rua to safety while Captain O'Berry covered them with his weapon. The suspect, still carrying Officer Rua's handgun, then ran into a 3-foot-wide alley behind a nearby apartment building and Captain O'Berry followed. Once the suspect realized he was cornered, he turned toward Captain O'Berry and pointed the handgun at him. Fearing for his life, Captain O'Berry and a responding police officer fired four rounds at the suspect. Afterwards, Captain O'Berry immediately began rendering aid to the suspect, who was flown to the local trauma center where he later succumbed to his injuries.