For withstanding furious gunfire from a criminal on the run and possibly saving a bleeding woman's life, a veteran Duluth police officer was among several members of law enforcement receiving the nation's highest award for valor Wednesday at the White House.

Lt. Bradley A Wick and others from around the country were honored with the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor in a ceremony hosted by Vice President Joe Biden, with remarks delivered by U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder.

Wick, 54, was recognized for his actions during a home invasion on Aug. 28, 2011, carried out by an ex-con and his female cohort shortly after the man robbed a Walgreens drugstore of narcotics and hijacked a car at gunpoint.

Brian C. Butala, the 31-year-old gunman whose long rap sheet included theft, assault and burglary, invaded a home and shot a woman he had awakened from a couch.

Wick, a sergeant at the time, and his K-9 entered and were ambushed by gunfire. Wick returned fire and killed Butala as the intruder's weapon was pointed at him. The resident survived being shot in the leg.

Biden recounted to those assembled how Wick "heard shots in a home in Duluth, and you entered without concern for your own safety, thinking only of the hostage being held inside."

Dennis McGrath, Star Tribune
Duluth Police Sgt. Bradley A. Wick, recipient of Public Safety Medal of Valor

To all of the medal recipients, Biden added, "You're all crazy" for carrying out such life-risking deeds. "We love you for it."

Moments later onstage, Biden stood behind and latched the medal around Wick's neck, and then gave the recipient two quick congratulatory pats on the back.

A state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension review of Wick's actions in the home said the officer knew as he arrived at the home that the gunman had a violent history and "had vowed that he would not return to prison."

Even so, the review continued, Wick acted "with extraordinary concern for the physical safety of the homeowner [while] setting aside the personal risk to himself. … [He] demonstrated courage and valor of the highest order."

For his response, the 27-year veteran of the Duluth Police Department also was chosen as the 2012 Police Officer of the Year by the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association.

There were 21 other law enforcement and fire personnel, or their survivors, who received Medals of Valor as well in the ceremony for 10 other incidents in recent years. They included seven who responded in Watertown, Mass., during the manhunt for one of two suspects in the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013, and two officers on the scene of the Sikh Temple massacre in suburban Milwaukee.

The Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor is awarded to public safety officers who have exhibited exceptional courage, regardless of personal safety, in the attempt to save or protect human life. Including Wednesday's honorees, 95 medals have been presented since the first recipients were recognized in 2003. Officers are nominated by the heads of their respective agencies.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482