SCRANTON, Pa. — Tonight was scheduled to be the Scranton Police Department's National Night Out, a night usually filled with outdoor vendors, live demonstrations and opportunities to talk to local police officers. The weather forced the event indoors this year, where a local hero was nationally recognized.
Scranton Police Chief Thomas Carroll presented the Law Enforcement Purple Heart to Detective Kyle Gilmartin at the ceremony Tuesday evening.
Gilmartin was shot in the line of duty in January.
Additionally, seven police officers, some of whom graduated from the police academy just last week, were sworn in to the Scranton Police force.
"I am incredibly grateful he's been recognized he has given the ultimate sacrifice for us, the amount of stuff he's dealt with, and his family has dealt with is inspiring." said Scranton Police Officer Rebecca Pierson.
"Whatever Kyle gets, Kyle deserves. He was a phenomenal cop, and he still is. He's a great guy." said Scranton Patrolman John Cantafio.
Mayor Paige Cognetti swore in the new police officers, but her thoughts were with Gilmartin.
"How special it is that he has sacrificed so much, and his family has sacrificed so much and we're so proud of our whole community for standing by him since the moment it happened." said Mayor Cognetti.
Some of those family members were here for the award.
"He's very humble and he doesn't like recognition he's kind of lowkey, but I think he's most deserving of it." said Detective Gilmartin's aunt, Shelia Ford.
"It's an honor, represents the family, represents the city, makes us proud. Just like the purple heart for being in war, it's the purple heart for policemen." said Gilmartin's uncle, Douglas Crockenberg.