WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Barack Obama will award the Medal of Valor to thirteen public safety officers during a ceremony in the East Room. One of those officers is Niagara County Sheriff’s Deputy Joe Tortorella.

Tortorella’s honor is bestowed “for placing himself in grave danger to protect his community,” according to the White House. “Deputy Tortorella confronted and subdued a volatile gunman who had shot and wounded his parents inside their home and by doing so prevented the gunman from threatening the safety of students at a nearby elementary school.”

Tortorella was also one of four finalists for the 2015 IACP/ Target Police Officer of the Year, which was awarded to Officer Scott T. Angulo from the Tallahassee Police Department in a ceremony in Chicago on Oct. 24. He was also honored by The New York State Sheriff’s Association as its “Deputy of the Year Award.”

On April 17, 2015, Tortorella responded to a 911 hang-up call at a residence in Wheatfield. While investigating the source of the 911 call, Tortorella was confronted by an armed male who had just shot both his parents. During a lengthy shootout with the suspect, Tortorella was shot in the chest.

The residence in Wheatfield was located next to Errick Road Elementary School which was in session at the time of the incident. During the gun fight, Deputy Tortorella called dispatch over his radio to alert the school to lock-down. When the suspect, who was shot three times, ran back behind the house, Tortorella ran towards the school to place himself between the school and the suspect.

The Medal of Valor is awarded to public safety officers who have exhibited exceptional courage, regardless of personal safety, in the attempt to save or protect others from harm.