Salt Lake County Sheriff's Lt. Lloyd Prescott flew to Washington, D.C., Wednesday to receive an award from President Clinton and Vice President Al Gore.
"We don't know of any Utah officer that has been recognized nationally for their heroic acts," said sheriff's spokesman Rod Norton.Prescott was working at the sheriff's office on March 5 when a gunman with a bomb took several people hostage at the nearby Salt Lake Main Library. Prescott slipped into the library room and allowed himself to become a hostage.
After 5 1/2 hours, the lieutenant shot and killed the gunman when he indicated he was going to begin executing the hostages.
As part of its anti-crime initiatives, the White House is honoring 125 heroic police officers from throughout the country Thursday.