LAPD Honors Officers Who Went 'Above & Beyond' In Call Of Duty

HOLLYWOOD (CBSLA.com) — Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck honored dozens of police officers Thursday for their "exceptional stories of bravery and heroism", according to officials.

A number of city officials and Hollywood producers were also on hand for the "Above & Beyond" Medal of Valor and Purple Heart awards ceremony at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland in Hollywood, such as City Attorney Mike Feuer, City Controller Ron Galperin and members of the production teams for TV's "Major Crimes" and "The Closer".

In all, 40 LAPD officers were granted one of the LAPD's most prestigious honors this year – 28 honored with the Medal of Valor and 12 more with the Purple Heart.

As part of the event, veteran actor G.W. Bailey served as emcee to narrate and bring to life the stories behind this year's 25 medal recipients, including how one officer risked his life to pull a driver to safety from a car fully engulfed in flames on Christmas Day or when another officer was shot between the eyes after responding to a radio call for a kidnapping in progress.

A crowd of about 800 civic, business, and community leaders; local, state, and federal law enforcement officials, along with the recipients' families, friends, and colleagues attended the "Above & Beyond Ceremony", which is hosted by the Los Angeles Police Foundation.