Idaho Falls Police officer receives Valor Award for his heroic response to man shooting at trooper

IDAHO FALLS — Idaho Falls Police Officer Mitch Bierma was honored pinch nan Valor Award from nan Greater Idaho Falls Police Foundation Thursday afternoon.

Bierma has been a constabulary serviceman for 10 years and has been a certified K9 handler for nan past 4 years. He and his partner Argo person had astir a twelve apprehensions during their clip moving together.

Bierma received nan grant for his actions successful responding to a call connected Dec. 4, 2023. An Idaho State Police trooper stopped a conveyance successful nan Candlewood Suites parking lot. A man sewage retired of nan beforehand rider spot and started firing a weapon astatine nan trooper.

At that nonstop moment, Bierma pulled into nan parking batch and nan man fired immoderate shots astatine nan serviceman earlier moving away.

Bierma chased nan suspect, who ended up shooting himself successful nan head. He was pronounced dormant astatine nan scene.

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“If you look astatine that video, I firmly judge nan fishy was going aft nan Idaho State Police trooper erstwhile Officer Bierma showed up. He turned his attraction to Officer Iierma and fired rounds astatine him,” Idaho Falls Police Capt. Jessica Marley said. “Clearly Officer Bierma reacted successful a measurement that was supra and beyond what his duties were required. He chased a bad feline and helped apprehend him successful nan people of being fired at. It doesn’t get much difficult aliases daring than what he did.”

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Officer honored arsenic MVP for proactive constabulary activity successful Idaho Falls

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Bierma was 1 of 5 rule enforcement officers from nan Idaho Falls region honored during nan awards ceremonial astatine Melaleuca. MVP awards were presented to an Idaho Falls Police officer, Bonneville County Sheriff’s deputy, and Idaho State Police trooper, on pinch a Law Enforcement Officer of nan Year Award.

Greater Idaho Falls Police Foundation Board Chairman Royce Clements, Officer Mitch Bierma, Chief Bryce Johnson. |
Photo courtesy Idaho Falls Police Department

Family members, colleagues, elected representatives and friends honored nan officers for their activity arsenic videos were shown featuring interviews pinch each recipient and their supervisors.

EastIdahoNews.com shared videos of nan 5 recipients complete nan past 5 days. You tin watch nan full awards ceremonial here.