Published: Fri, 09/23/2016 - 2:13pm
DENVER - Colorado Attorney General Cynthia H. Coffman recognized the heroic actions of Colorado Springs law enforcement and first responders during the tragic November shootings at Planned Parenthood. During today's ceremony, General Coffman presented four agencies with the Attorney General's First Responder Excellence Award: The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs Police Department, the Colorado Springs Police Department, the El Paso County Sheriff\'s Department and the Colorado Springs Fire Department.
"On behalf of my fellow Coloradans, I thank you all for your dedication, your professionalism, your leadership and your sacrifice," said Colorado Attorney General Cynthia H. Coffman. "You represent first responders around our great state who are trained and ready should today be their November 27th."
"It was a remarkable restraint shown by our law enforcement as you narrowed in on the gunman. A final shootout seemed inevitable but instead there was the abrupt and unexpected surrender," said General Coffman. "The result certainly could have been different but because the focus was a preservation of life, the lawyers can now take over and do their job."
Mayor John Suthers also recognized six members of the community who acted valiantly during the November shooting. Suthers presented the Spirit of the Springs Award to each in recognition of their courageous efforts.
"On the blackest of Fridays in Colorado Springs, Colorado," General Coffman said of November 27th. "We all understood and knew that heroes are at work among us."