Obama salutes ‘hero’ Boston police officer shot in face

March 30, 2015 1:35 pm

By The Associated Press

BOSTON (AP) _ President Barack Obama has praised a Boston police officer who was shot point-blank in the face by a suspect, calling the downed officer a “hero.”

Obama began his speech at the dedication of the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate by saluting Officer John Moynihan.

The president noted Monday that he honored Moynihan and others just last year at the White House, and said he was relieved to learn that Moynihan is awake and talking.

Moynihan remains hospitalized after undergoing surgery to remove a bullet lodged below his ear from a shooting Friday night.

The Iraq veteran was one of the first responders in Watertown following the April 2013 gun battle with the Boston Marathon bombers. He helped save wounded transit police Officer Richard Donohue.