By Police1 Staff
BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. — A Florida police officer was honored for capturing the suspect in the deadly shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
The Sun-Sentinel reports that the Broward County Commission honored Officer Michael Leonard and Coconut Creek PD on Tuesday. The commissioners named Feb. 27 Officer Michael Leonard and Coconut Creek Police Department Appreciation Day.
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“It’s not about me. It’s about my brothers and sisters in law enforcement, fire rescue, first responders. We all had a role that day,” Leonard told commissioners. “I’m honored to wear the badge.”
On Feb. 14, suspected gunman Nikolas Cruz killed 17 people at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Leonard spotted Cruz about three miles away from the school about an hour after the massacre.
“Based on some radio traffic, I was able to determine who he was,” Leonard said.
Leonard said he knew Cruz might still be armed at the time of the arrest. The officer was able to take Cruz into custody without incident.
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The officer struggled to maintain his emotions while talking about his role in arresting the suspect.
“When you come against evil like that and you have children at home that are about that age, it’s very close to my heart. It was difficult, but I’m so honored that I was able to be a part and do my part and take this killer into custody,” Leonard said.
Leonard said he isn’t ready to take the title of hero, adding that all first responders who were involved that day were “all heroes.”
“I was just doing my job that day,” Leonard said.
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