Federal marshal receives Congressional Badge of Bravery

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Federal marshal receives Congressional Badge of Bravery

Deputy U.S. Marshal Andrew Wong received a Congressional Badge of Bravery Tuesday from Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.).

Michael O'Connell@moconnellWFED

February 3, 2016 3:10 pm

1 min read

U.S. Marshal Robert Mathieson, left, holds up a certificate of recognition for Deputy Andrew Wong, who received the Congressional Badge of Bravery Tuesday from Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.). Wong, a resident of Northern Virginia, received the honor in recognition for his actions as one of the first responders on the scene during the Sept. 16, 2013, shooting incident at the Washington Navy Yard.

*(Photo by Jamie Smith/Office of Congressman Gerald E. Connolly)*

Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) presented the Congressional Badge of Bravery Tuesday to Deputy U.S. Marshal Andrew Wong.

A resident of Northern Virginia, Wong received the badge in recognition of his heroic actions as one of the first responders on the scene during the Sept. 16, 2013, Navy Yard shooting.

On the morning of the shooting, Wong, U.S. Park Police Officer Carl Hiott and Metropolitan Police Officer Dorian DeSantis joined other law officers searching the headquarters of the Naval Sea Systems Command for the suspected shooter.

On the third floor, the officers took turns searching and clearing cubicles while one of them provided cover. Arriving at the last cubicle, they observed muzzle flashes and gunshots. The three officers returned fire. Within the cubicle, the officers found the suspect, later identified as Aaron Alexis, incapacitated with a firearm at his feet.

The officers then searched the remaining offices and escorted civilians out of the area.

“Deputy Marshal Wong’s heroic actions on the day of the Navy Yard tragedy without question saved many lives,” Connolly said in a statement. “For that, he has our eternal gratitude and respect, and it was an honor to present him with the Congressional Badge of Bravery.”

Joining Connolly, Wong and his wife Becky on Capitol Hill for the presentation were U.S. Marshal Robert W. Mathieson, Marshals Service Acting Director David L. Harlow and Chief Robert D. MacLean of the U.S. Park Police.