U.S. Sens. Dan Coats (R-IN) and Joe Donnelly (D-IN) presented the badge to Officer William Abram

BLOOMINGTON — A Bloomington Police officer was presented Friday with the Congressional Badge of Bravery for his actions during a November 2014 shootout.

U.S. Sens. Dan Coats (R-IN) and Joe Donnelly (D-IN) presented the badge to Officer William Abram and spoke at a ceremony in Bloomington. Josh Minkler, United States Attorney in the Southern District of Indiana, also attended.

“We are so blessed — Bloomington and Indiana and our country — to have men and women like you keeping us safe and protecting us,” said Donnelly. “On behalf of our entire state, we want to thank you for saving these girls’ lives, for protecting the people of Bloomington and for protecting all of us.”

Coats recalled a burglary he interrupted at his home several years ago. Within a few minutes of calling 911, the police arrived. “They didn’t know I was a senator. I didn’t get any special treatment. That was a scary moment. I cannot begin to compare that with the situation you went through,” he said, addressing Abram.

“This act of bravery and responsibility and the way you handled it and the way the department handled it led to this award,” said Coats. “It’s a great tribute not just to you and to our police force,” he said, but to the “entire community in terms of the way you are trained to handle these situations.”

Abram took on two suspects accused of raping Indiana University students. He didn’t back down when they started shooting at him.

The Congressional Badge of Bravery is awarded annually by the U.S. Attorney General for exceptional acts of bravery in the line of duty by federal, state and local law enforcement officers.

Source: WTHR