Highest honor: 3 Pittsburgh officers receive Medal of Valor

PITTSBURGH — Three Pittsburgh police officers were honored Tuesday during a ceremony at City Hall.

Channel 11's Rick Earle was there as the officers were honored for going above and beyond the call of duty.

One of the officers who received the Medal of Valor was Andrew Baker, who was shot in the chest three years ago during an incident in Stanton Heights.

A bulletproof vest saved Baker’s life that day, and he was able to return fire before other officers took a suspect in to custody.

“As soon as I got out of the car, he just started shooting at me,” Baker said. “I was able to return fire. The other Zone 5 officers all came, and we were able to take him in to custody.”

Baker, who has two brothers and a sister on the force, added that the man has since been convicted and sent to prison.

Another officer honored Tuesday was Morgan Jenkins, who was shot two years ago and now requires a wheelchair to get around.

Jenkins received a standing ovation at the ceremony.

The Medal of Valor is the highest honor presented by Pittsburgh police.