Story Published: Feb 10, 2012 at 5:26 PM PDT
Story Updated: Feb 10, 2012 at 5:26 PM PDT
Lewiston Police Lieutenant Michael Pederson, Nez Perce County Sheriff's Sergeant John Hilderbrand and Sergeant Ted Piche with their medals.
Lewiston Police Lieutenant Michael Pederson, Sergeant Ted Piche and Nez Perce County Sheriff's Sergeant John Hilderbrand were presented with a gold medal, uniform ribbon and a formal written certificate signed by the Chief of Police for their bravery at last year's Main Street bank robbery. Sergeant Hilderbrand is the first Nez Perce County official ever to receive any type of recognition for service.
"This is almost the ultimate end of respect from your peers," said Hilderbrand. "It's an extreme honor."
"Just about everywhere I have gone, people have been congratulating me," said Piche. "People are calling me by my first name that I have never met before. That is truly an honor, you know? It is what the citizens think, they understand the risks that were involved."
"It was extremely heart felt," said Pedersen. "I believe that the department has always been good to me, especially during this situation. This is just an awesome honor."
The award is automatically considered when a member gives his or her life in the line of duty while engaged in an act of valor or when a member distinguishes themselves while in the line of duty, risking their lives in the process.
