Montgomery County Police Officer Edward E. Paden Jr. was one of the first to run into Silver Spring’s Discovery Communications headquarters during a hostage situation in September 2010.
On Monday, he was first in another regard.
Paden, who has worked more than 16 years for the department, became one of the first Americans to receive the Congressional Badge of Bravery.
The award, created in 2008, was presented to recipients for the first time Monday and Montgomery County held one of the earliest ceremonies, officials said.
Paden was off-duty on the afternoon of Sept. 1, 2010, when gunman James J. Lee, strapped with explosives, took three Discovery Communications employees hostage. Instinctively, he headed Silver Spring, believing his familiarity with the building and its employees could be of assistance. He soon had a better view of Lee than anyone else and radioed descriptions to other officers.
If the canisters strapped to Lee’s chest had been detonated, Paden could have died, Montgomery County Police Chief J. Thomas Manger said Monday.
“Due to his instinctive response, he saved lives. He saved a tragedy from becoming a horrible episode in the lives of so many people,” said U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin. “Without any concern for his personal safety, he did what was right to prevent the loss of life. For that, we are so grateful. Officer Paden’s actions really exemplify what we had in mind when the Congressional Badge of Bravery Award was instituted.”
The award honors local, state and federal law enforcement officers who have distinguished themselves for exceptional acts of bravery in the line of duty.
Approximately 20 other police agencies were presenting similar awards to officers Monday, said U.S. Rep. Christopher Van Hollen Jr. (D-Dist. 8).
Paden gave credit to other officers, firefighters and first responders who worked together to end the confrontation before any innocent people were killed.
“Team. My colleagues at fire and rescue, the sheriff’s department, all the surrounding agencies throughout the Washington metropolitan area — we put it all together for one day. When it really counted,” Paden said. “And we continue to do that every day of the week. And I’m honored to be a part of that team.”
Police shot and killed Lee after he took out a gun and pointed it at one of the hostages.
Manger said it was the first incident in the U.S. when a suicide bomber took hostages.
dgaines@gazette.net
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