(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of the U.S. Department of Justice)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania presented former Pittsburgh Bureau of Police (PBP) officer Daniel Mead with a Department of Justice “Hometown Hero Award” during a ceremony this morning at PBP police headquarters.

Mead received the award in front of department command staff.

The award, created in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States, recognizes individuals who demonstrate service, courage and civic responsibility.

Officials said Mead was honored for his actions during the October 27, 2018, Tree of Life Synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh, where he and his partner were among the first officers to respond to 911 calls reporting an active shooter.

According to officials, Mead approached the synagogue while armed with his service weapon, observed the suspect inside the building, and was shot in the hand before retreating. He was among several officers injured during the attack in which 11 congregants were killed and two others were wounded.