 Ogden City Police Master Officer Ken Hammond and his wife, Sarita, Feb. 2007. (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac) |
The Associated Press
Read Officer Ken Hammond’s account: Mall shooting: Off-duty and drawing fire
The Ogden police officer credited with ending a shooting rampage in a Salt Lake City mall has been named April’s Officer of the Month by the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund.
Ken Hammond was off-duty having dinner with his wife when Suljeman Talovic began firing shotgun rounds inside the Trolley Square Mall on Feb. 12. Hammond drew his weapon and engaged the 18-year-old and is credited with saving the lives of shoppers and mall workers.
Six people died in the shootings, including Talovic. Four others were injured.
A six-year veteran of the Ogden police department, Hammond and his wife, a dispatcher, were celebrating and early Valentine’s Day the night of the shooting.
The Washington D.C.-based nonprofit organization has been honoring federal, state and local police officers who show exemplary service since 1996.