The Rocky Mountain News
DENVER — The state trooper who shot and killed an armed gunman at the State Capitol last summer today received the State Patrol Medal of Valor, its highest award.
Trooper Jay Hemphill became the 41st trooper to receive the honor.
“We will never know what would have happened had it not been for Trooper Hemphill that day,” said Col. Mark Trostel, chief of the Colorado State Patrol.
On July 17, a tuxedo-clad Aaron Snyder appeared outside Gov. Bill Ritter’s office armed with a gun in his pants pocket.
Hemphill drew his gun and told Snyder to stop. When he didn’t, Hemphill shot him.
Copyright 2008 Rocky Mountain News