United States Capitol Police Special Agents David Bailey and Crystal Griner, Alexandria (VA) Police Officers Nicole Battaglia, Alexander Jensen and Kevin Jobe

Washington, DC—The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund has selected United States Capitol Police Special Agents David Bailey and Crystal Griner, as well as Alexandria (VA) Police Officers Nicole Battaglia, Alexander Jensen and Kevin Jobe, as the recipients of its Officer of the Month Award for December 2017.
In the early morning of June 14, 2017, members of a team were practicing for the upcoming Congressional Baseball Game for Charity’s on a field Alexandria, Virginia. Suddenly, a man emerged from a nearby parking lot with a rifle and a handgun and opened fire on the baseball field. U.S. Capitol Police Special Agents David Bailey and Crystal Griner, who were assigned to Rep. Steve Scalise’s protection detail, began engaging with the gunman and radioed for assistance.
Within three minutes of the first call to emergency dispatchers, Alexandria Officers Nicole Battaglia, Alexander Jensen and Kevin Jobe arrived on the scene. The officers were able to divert the shooter’s attention, which allowed the U.S. Capitol Police officers to move closer and gain an advantage. Despite minor injuries to both U.S. Capitol Police agents, the five officers were able to neutralize the shooter. The vehicle that Special Agents Bailey and Griner used for cover during the five-minute gun battle was riddled with bullets as the assailant was able to fire approximately 60 rounds. Rep. Scalise was severely injured in the shootout and spent more than a month in the hospital. He was able to return to Congress in September.
“The brave acts of Special Agents Bailey and Griner, as well as the three Alexandria Police officers, are credited with saving numerous lives that day,” U.S. Capitol Police Chief Matthew Venderosa said. “Their professionalism under fire is a testament to their dedication to law enforcement, and to serving the Congress and their country.”
“After hearing about the shooting at the Congressional baseball practice in June, we immediately started learning about the courage of these five officers as they took down the gunman in the chaos,” Memorial Fund President and CEO Craig W. Floyd said. “It is my great honor to present these heroes with the Memorial Fund’s Officer of the Month Award for December 2017.”
Located in the nation’s capital, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifice of America’s law enforcement officers. The Memorial Fund’s Officer of the Month Award Program began in 1996 and recognizes federal, state, and local officers who distinguish themselves through exemplary law enforcement service and devotion to duty.
The five officers, along with the other Officer of the Month Award recipients for 2017, will be honored at a special awards ceremony in Washington, DC, in 2018.

The Police Unity Tour is the official sponsor of the Memorial Fund’s Officer of the Month Program.