BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- A Bloomington police officer was presented with the Congressional Badge of Bravery Friday.
U.S. Senators Dan Coats and Joe Donnelly presented the award to Officer William Abram for his efforts to break up a sexual assault on two 24-year-old women held at gunpoint in November 2014.
When he arrived at the scene, Abram saw the door was partially open. He knocked and announced that he was a police officer. He then saw a man inside with his face partially covered by a scarf, who was pulling up his pants. Shortly after, a shot was fired at Abram from inside the apartment. There was a second shot fired and then Abram saw two men trying to run from the scene through a window.
He told the suspects to put their hands up. They turned and shot at him again. Officer Abram then shot at them twice, hitting both suspects. The suspects were caught after a short chase. A third suspect who was in the getaway vehicle was also arrested.
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Officer Abram heroically put himself in line of fire to stop a violent sexual assault. He is deserving of this honor pic.twitter.com/Gd84U8LsUS
— Senator Dan Coats (@SenDanCoats) March 4, 2016
The Congressional Badge of Bravery is awarded annually by the U.S. Attorney General for exceptional acts of bravery by federal, state and local law enforcement officers.
Last year, fallen IMPD Officer Road Bradway received the award. Bradway, a father of two, was killed in 2013 when he responded to a domestic disturbance.
MORE | Fallen Officer Road Bradway awarded congressional honor
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