U.S. Attorney’s Office Presents Hometown Hero Award to Retired Pittsburgh Police Officer in Recognition of His Bravery and Dedication During Tree of Life Synagogue Shooting

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania this morning presented former Pittsburgh Bureau of Police (PBP) officer Daniel Mead with a U.S. Department of Justice/United States Attorney’s Office “Hometown Hero Award” during a brief ceremony held at PBP headquarters. Mead received the award in front of PBP’s command staff.

Offered in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America, the Hometown Hero Award honors the enduring ideals of liberty, service, and civic responsibility, and is bestowed in recognition of brave men and women who exemplify steadfast commitment to these ideals and embody the spirit upon which our nation was founded.

The award was presented to Mead, now retired, in recognition of his courage and sacrifice during the October 27, 2018, Tree of Life Synagogue shooting, where Officer Mead and his partner, Michael Smidga, were the first to arrive at the Synagogue that morning in response to the harrowing 911 calls about an active shooter. Armed only with a handgun, Mead quickly approached the entrance of the Synagogue and observed the shooter inside of the building before being shot through the hand and needing to retreat. Mead was one of four police officers and SWAT operators to be shot and injured by the shooter, who killed 11 congregants and seriously wounded two others during his antisemitic attack.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is pleased to honor Daniel Mead with the Western District of Pennsylvania’s Hometown Hero Award in conjunction with the celebration of our nation’s 250th birthday,” said United States Attorney Troy Rivetti. “Nearly eight years after the shooting, our gratitude and admiration for the heroic bravery and selfless dedication of the first responders that day endures. On the morning of October 27, 2018, Officer Mead walked directly into the line of fire in fulfillment of his sworn duty to uphold the law and protect his fellow citizens. Today, we honor him. He is Pittsburgh’s Hometown Hero.”

U.S. Attorney Rivetti with Daniel Mead Daniel Mead with U.S. Attorney Rivetti, Officer Smidga, Tree of Life survivors, and PBP Chief Lando Daniel Mead with PBP command staff