(September 18, 2008)

ALICE--An Alice police officer who was shot and seriously injured during a bank robbery nearly six months ago has just received a unique honor; the city's first ever medal of valor.

Authorities said one of the suspects was killed and other one sent away to prison for ten years. Many credit this police officer for his courage in protecting the citizens just after the bank robbery.

Corporal Daniel Elizondo was given a Medal of Valor, the first ever in the City of Alice for courage and bravery.

"I'm grateful for it," said Elizondo. "Of course, I accept the award and the medal, but I wasn't expecting any of this. I was just doing my job."

Elizondo was the officer shot during a bank robbery last April as they robbers left the crime scene. When he was shot in the leg, he fired back, killing one of the bank robbers and helped officers find the second suspect.

"It was really just survival," Elizondo said, who has worked as an Alice police officer for nine years. "Just trying to keep myself calm in light of the situation and give the best description of the subject that had initiated the attack on me."

"He did what was right to protect our citizens , our businesses and our community," said Chief Danny Bueno of the Alice Police Department. 

Reliving April's crime scene wasn't easy for the Elizondo family.

"It was very heartbreaking to relive everything, but we're ok and now it's getting past everything," said Michelle Elizondo, Elizondo's wife. "We're doing better now."

Elizondo is a humble police officer who said it was in his job description to protect the citizens of Alice. He never thought twice about not returning to the force.

"No," said Elizondo. "Never. I was expecting to go back as soon as I could. I did some physical therapy and ended up back on duty about five weeks ago."

--Manuel De La Rosa, Area 3 News, mdelarosa@kiiitv.com