Purple Heart award given to Milwaukee County deputy shot

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MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee County Sheriff honored deputies, correctional officers and civilians who saved lives in the last year.

The outgoing sheriff shared the stage with Denita Ball, who will replace him, and become Wisconsin's first Black female sheriff. For two hours, together, they honored those who've gone above and beyond.

"You put your life on the line for other people this year. There's no higher sacrifice than that," said Special Agent in charge Michael Hensle of the FBI Milwaukee field office.

In a room full of heroes, the most applause went to the parents of Milwaukee County Sheriff's Deputy Christian Almonte. He's back to work on light duty. His parents accepted the Purple Heart award for their son who was shot multiple times in a traffic stop on I-94 in January.

"Brings back so many emotions and I'm just so thankful that we're here to talk about this and Christian got the award. I didn't even notice it was a standing ovation, but that's beautiful, amazing," said Laura Almonte, Deputy Christian Almonte's mom.

As people applaud Deputy Almonte's bravery, his parents are thanking those who helped Christian the night he was shot. They were also honored.

"Deputy got him out of the, just the open. They tourniquted him and got him into the back of the squad car and didn't wait for the ambulance, just get him in the squad car, get him to the hospital now," said Laura Almonte.

This is one of Sheriff Lucas' last public appearances. Lucas is set to retire in January.

"This has just been the highlight of my professional career serving, and I'm gonna enjoy it until the very last moment," said Milwaukee County Sheriff Earnell Lucas.

Among some of those being recognized, correctional officers who saved choking inmates, and deputies who stopped active shooters, saved a suicidal individual from jumping off the Hoan Bridge, and spared overdose victims with Narcan.

"And I'm very glad and humbled and honored to receive this award in his name, thank you very much (applause)," said former Milwaukee County Sheriff Richard Atkinson.

To close the night, Milwaukee County's first African American sheriff Richard Atkinson talked about life in the 1980s, when bomb threats were rampant and how he advocated for the county's first canine unit.

This was the 19th annual awards ceremony.

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