Boston Police Officer John Moynahan received a special honor at the Boston Police Foundation Gala Saturday night, as he was presented with the Hero Award.
Moynahan survived getting shot in the face at point blank range during a traffic stop in Roxbury last year. He also helped save a transit worker who had been wounded during the shootout in Watertown following the Boston Marathon bombings in 2013. Boston Police Commissioner Bill Evans praised Moynahan for his dedication.
"John has been through a lot but he is strong," said Evans. "I don’t know how anyone can ever bounce back but John has good spirits. We have a great department and John does a great job."
The award was presented to Moynahan by actor and Dorchester native Mark Wahlberg.
"It’s very emotional. These guys go out there and I realize the sacrifice they make everyday to protect us and provide the freedoms that we have and to keep our city safe," said Wahlberg.
Wahlberg is producing and starring in an upcoming film about the Boston Marathon bombing called "Patriots Day." Wahlberg was joined at the event by the movie’s director, Peter Berg.
"We’ve had an extraordinary four weeks meeting the men and women who responded to the marathon and they are some of the most heroic, competent and outstanding human beings I’ve met and we’re very excited to tell their story," said Berg.
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