By Joanna Putman
Police1
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Five Nashville police officers were honored for their role in saving the lives of children during the Covenant School shooting, FOX reported.
Det. Michael Collazo, Officer Rex Engelbert, Det. Sgt. Jeff Mathes, Det. Ryan Cagle and Det. Zachary Plese were awarded the first-ever T2T Stephen Siller Award and immortalized in a portrait by American painter Steve Penley at the 2023 FOX Nation Patriot Awards, according to the report.
“Last night, our team was honored to receive the inaugural Tunnels to Towers Stephen Siller Patriot Award, named after one of many New York City Fire Department firefighters who sacrificed his life on 9/11 to save others,” the MNPD stated in a Facebook Post. “We are grateful for the special presentation and humbling award.”
The awards were presented to the officers by a team that included Stephen Siller Jr., the son of the award’s namesake, according to the report.
“Tonight, we are here not to dwell on tragedy, but to honor the men and women who turned toward danger to safeguard others, embodying the spirit of my father, Stephen, and the soul of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation,” said Siller Jr.