Maricopa County Sheriff’s deputies involved in the January, 2012 shooting in Anthem that took the life of Maricopa County Sheriff’s Deputy William Coleman were honored today with the Silver Star for bravery by the American Police Hall of Fame. According to Deputy Chief Frank Munnell of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, this is the first time any deputy from the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office has been the recipient of this prestigious award.
The three deputies present during the shoot-out who received the bravery awards today were Deputy Chris Contino, Reserve Deputy Shawn Osborn and Deputy Kevin Woods. The family of slain Deputy Coleman was present during the ceremony.
On January 8, 2012, the deputies and Deputy Coleman were responding to a burglary alarm at a medical clinic in Anthem. When deputies approached a minivan suspiciously parked in the clinic’s lot, the van’s occupant opened the vehicle door and began firing on the deputies. Coleman was killed. The other deputies did not sustain injuries while the suspect, Mark Maras, was killed.
The Silver Star of Bravery is awarded for extraordinary heroism performed in the line of duty. It distinguishes an officer whose act of courage goes above and beyond the call of duty.
“All of us here at the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office are proud of these deputies and see them as very deserving of this fine award,” Sheriff Joe Arpaio said today.