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Dozens Of Local Officers Honored For Heroic Acts

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- More than two dozen police officers were recognized at Friday's Amen Corner John Heinz law enforcement awards luncheon.

"We wanted to recognize the good work that police do. A lot of times police get some bad publicity over the very, very few who do something negative," said former Allegheny Commissioner Larry Dunn, the chair of the awards ceremony.

KDKA political editor Jon Delano was one of the media presenters, awarding Pittsburgh Master police officer Lisa Luncinski who was working off-duty at a Mt. Washington bank on December 4th.

 

At 10:23 am that day, a 21-year old armed actor entered the bank to attempt a robbery.

The bank had been robbed previously so Luncinski was on alert when the young man entered.

"In my mind I kept suppressing, maybe this isn't a bank robber -- maybe just a stupid kid with his hood up -- I'm trying to suppress that feeling," Luncinski recalled.

"But when he looked at me and made eye contact, the hair went up on the back of my neck."

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Luncinski cannot forget what happened next.

"He pulled out his gun, pointed it right at me, started skipping towards my location at the back of the bank. We never left eye contact from that point on. And I got cover so he wouldn't see the movement of my draw because I thought all he had to do was pull his trigger and I would have been gone."

She shot the armed robber -- who later died.

Officer Luncinski like so many other police officers had to make a split second decision, knowing that her decision could save lives but could also be second-guessed by others after the event.

Because the actor turned as Luncinski fired, some said he was wrongfully shot in the back.

But District Attorney Stephen Zappala said her conduct was textbook correct.

"She was highly professional, highly disciplined in her fire," added Pittsburgh Police Chief Cameron McLay.

"I was confident in what I did, but you know everything gets distorted by people who want to see it differently," said Luncinski.

Which is why this recognition award means so much to her.

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