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NEW JERSEY COPS ■ DECEMBER 2014
2014 Valor Awards – Gold Medal of Valor
Give them a hand
Fellow award winners applaud Top Cops
Rios and Letts exited their vehiThe standing ovation and
Detective James Letts • Detective Edgar Rios
cle along with the victim and
thundering applause that
Trenton Local 11
walked across the street toward
erupted when Edgar Rios,
the victim’s home. Without warnJames Letts and William Miller
Detective William Miller
ing, the suspect exited the house
were announced as recipients
Mercer County Sheriff’s Officers Local 187
and started shooting, striking
of gold medals of valor easily
both Rios and Letts with two
could have been a rousing last
rounds. Upon hearing the shots, Miller exited his vehicle and
hurrah for this oft-awarded trio.
advanced toward the suspect with his weapon drawn, causing
“When you get that from your peers, it’s a little overwhelmthe suspect to turn toward Miller. That enabled Letts, suffering
ing actually. I don’t really know how to describe it,” said Letts,
from two bullet wounds, to draw his weapon and shoot the
the Trenton Local 11 detective who, along with Trenton Detecsuspect multiple times and end the threat.
tive Rios and Mercer County Sheriff’s Detective Miller, were
Rios was riddled with bullets to the point where his Local 11
ambushed by a deranged shooter during the early morning
brothers and sisters held a 24-7 vigil until he finally awoke in
hours on Aug. 15, 2013.
the hospital. A series of surgeries never allowed him to return
But for these three officers who have been named Top Cops
to active duty, and he finally had to retire after 31 years on the
by the National Association of Police Officers (NAPO) and honjob. Even though he still needs one more surgery, he said, “I
ored at the White House where they met with President
loved what I was doing and that’s why I went to work every day.
Obama, when their peers and fellow Valor Award winners rose
Yes, I miss it.”
to cheer, it marked perhaps the most memorable salute to their
Letts did return to his special victims unit but has had to
effort.
leave due to the injuries. On a good day, he says, “when I’m
“There were so many people standing up that I couldn’t
using the computer and moving the mouse, I feel the pain in
even see everyone,” Miller commented. “The whole thing is
my shoulder because there are bone fragments in there.”
overwhelming, real humbling. I’m honored, but I don’t know if
Miller confirmed he is OK physically, though emotionally his
I feel deserving of this.”
scars continue to heal. “It’s changed me a lot,” he explained.
Added Rios: “It felt like they’re all family. You know, brother“I’m a lot more aware of what’s going around me. My head is a
hood.”
lot more on a swivel than it used to be. It’s hard to trust people.”
Even though the events of that summer morning have been
So for all they have each been through, it was more than
told and retold, the ovation at the Valor Awards indicated it was
appropriate that the roomful of law enforcement officers at the
no less stirring on this night than it was more than a year ago.
Valor Award Dinner stood to cheer and salute, and they would
Rios and Letts were called to investigate a domestic dispute
have gone on for several more minutes had they not been
involving a boyfriend who had badly beaten his girlfriend and
waved off. Miller said the ovation moved him to tears. He was
stabbed her puppy to death. After completing their
not the only one to be overcome by mixed emotions.
investigation at Trenton Police Headquarters,
“I welled up and had goose bumps,” Letts admitted. “It probRios and Letts transported the victim back to
ably won’t be the one they use, but there were a couple of picher residence for her safety and to collect additures where I’m actually looking down, so I can concentrate on
tional evidence. Miller also responded to phosomething else and tr y to stay dry-eyed.”
tograph the scene and collect evidence.
2014
Valor
awards