5 DeKalb police officers awarded for heroism
Five DeKalb County police officers who responded to a home invasion that led to a shootout are being honored with the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery.
Officer Jonathan Lewis, one of the first to arrive on the scene Dec. 12, 2014, will be presented the award by U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson during a ceremony Wednesday. He's being recognized for heroism in the line of duty.
Two other officers, Devon Perry and Tony Luong, were shot and injured during the armed robbery. Officers Eduardo Espinoza and Noel Collver also returned fire during the incident.
“Officer Lewis not only confronted the armed suspects with force, but rendered aid to his fallen colleagues as well,” said a statement from Johnson’s office.
The suspects, Eddie Ball and Ivy Shumake, are facing dozens of felony charges.
Lewis will be presented with the Congressional Badge of Bravery at 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Lou Walker Senior Center in Lithonia. The other officers are being recognized separately.
About the Author
Mark Niesse is an enterprise reporter and covers elections and Georgia government for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and is considered an expert on elections and voting. Before joining the AJC, he worked for The Associated Press in Atlanta, Honolulu and Montgomery, Alabama. He also reported for The Daily Report and The Santiago Times in Chile.
