Kansas City police officer is awarded the Medal of Valor for bravery

Scott McGregor had just stepped through the home’s threshold when gunfire began.

A bullet tore through his thigh, but despite his wound, the Kansas City police officer returned fire, providing other officers and a civilian the opportunity to escape the fusillade of bullets.

From behind a bullet-resistant shield, McGregor reloaded and continued to exchange fire with the gunman until an armored vehicle arrived and he could move to safety. The man inside, who was wanted for questioning in the death of a woman, later died from a self-inflicted gunshot.

For his actions that day in December 2013, McGregor was honored Wednesday night with the Medal of Valor, the Kansas City Police Department’s highest award for bravery. He also will receive a Purple Heart for being wounded in the line of duty. McGregor has recovered from his injury.

Other officers also were honored for their roles in that incident at Wednesday’s awards ceremony at the Kansas City Police Academy, 6885 N.E. Pleasant Valley Road.

Other awards were given to officers with the Kansas City No Violence Alliance, which has been credited with helping to reduce violent crime in the city.

Several civilians were recognized, including a woman who stopped a man from jumping off a bridge and a nurse and a hospital security guard who assisted an officer being attacked by a man who tried to grab the officer’s gun.

This story was originally published April 22, 2015 at 1:50 PM with the headline "Kansas City police officer is awarded the Medal of Valor for bravery."