Steven P. Bodek

2012 Virginia State Sheriff's Valor Award Virginia Sheriff's Ass. Sep 2012 The Valor Award is one of the highest awards presented through the Virginia Sheriffs Association. It is awarded to one law enforcement officer each year who displays heroism and bravery in the line of duty. The call came in at 6:49 p.m. about a man with a gun. A woman told dispatchers that her brother started waving a gun around and threatening everyone while she was visiting her parents with her three children and her brother’s wife. She said he was on nerve pills, which he often takes with… Show more The Valor Award is one of the highest awards presented through the Virginia Sheriffs Association. It is awarded to one law enforcement officer each year who displays heroism and bravery in the line of duty. The call came in at 6:49 p.m. about a man with a gun. A woman told dispatchers that her brother started waving a gun around and threatening everyone while she was visiting her parents with her three children and her brother’s wife. She said he was on nerve pills, which he often takes with alcohol, and was acting like a “wild man,” Bodek and Deputy Erik Bryan responded. Once they arrived, Bodek and Bryan tried to get the suspect out of the house to talk. The suspect instead backed farther into the house and shouted obscenities at them, ignoring Bodek’s orders to show his hands while reaching for the small of his back. Bodek placed the red dot of his Taser on the suspect’s chest, yelling at him to show his hands, according to the letter.After the suspect still refused to show his hands, Bodek fired the Taser, hitting him with only one lead, making it ineffective. The subject then disappeared through the kitchen. When he peered through the door, Bryan shot and missed with his Taser. Bodek then saw the suspect pull his gun and pushed Bryan out of the way as the suspect fired. The bullet hit Bryan’s radio, but would have hit his stomach without the push. Bodek returned fire, hitting the subject in the chest. Bodek pushed Bryan out and ushered the remaining family members out of the house, except for the suspect’s father, who was watching a police show on TV and didn’t want to miss it, Kidd said he spoke with his officers as soon as he arrived on the scene and learned Bryan’s radio had taken the shot aimed for his stomach. “He was very lucky,” Kidd said. “The first thing he told me was, ‘I have to tell you, Sgt. Bodek saved my life.’” Show less

USMC Combat Valor DOD November 1, 2005 Heroic Achievement while serving as a Combat Engineer Squad Leader, Company "L", 3RD Battalion, 1st Marines, Regimental combat team; 1st Marine Division in support of Operation Iraqi freedom II, 8 November 2004 to 18 January 2005. During high intensity urban combat operations in the city of Al Fallujah, Iraq on 14 November, Staff Sergeant Bodek courageously exposed himself to heavy small arms fire, rushing forward to know enemy positions, and throwing a short fused improvised Bangalore torpedo… Show more Heroic Achievement while serving as a Combat Engineer Squad Leader, Company "L", 3RD Battalion, 1st Marines, Regimental combat team; 1st Marine Division in support of Operation Iraqi freedom II, 8 November 2004 to 18 January 2005. During high intensity urban combat operations in the city of Al Fallujah, Iraq on 14 November, Staff Sergeant Bodek courageously exposed himself to heavy small arms fire, rushing forward to know enemy positions, and throwing a short fused improvised Bangalore torpedo inside, the massive explosion destroyed the enemy position, killing all insurgents inside. While attacking into southern Fallujah on 17 November his squad again came under heavy enemy fire. Demonstrating extraordinary heroism Staff Sergeant Bodek entered the enemy position igniting a demolitions charge and killing the insurgents inside. All those that observed him during this high intensity urban combat operations praised him for his weapon tactics and ability to observe and destroy the enemy and their positions. Addition to his technical and tactical proficiency led to the discovery of numerous weapons caches, which he immediately destroyed before the weapons could be use against his fellow Marines. Staff Sergeant Bodek is believed, deserving and enthusiastically awarded the Navy Marine Corps commendation medal with combat “V” valor. Staff Sergeant Bodek initiative, perseverance and total dedication to duty reflect credit upon himself, and were in keeping e highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the united stated Navy. Show less

Purple Heart DOD