(Photo Courtesy of Valparaiso Police Department)

Two Region police officers received the Police Officer of the Year Award from the Indiana Association of Chiefs of Police during a presentation in Indianapolis today – Officer Jerame Simpson and Officer Keith Perez with the Valparaiso Police Department. Valparaiso Police Chief Michael Brickner nominated Simpson and Perez for their efforts during a hostage crisis on the north side of the city last May. Perez, who was off-duty at the time, and Simpson who was on-duty arrived immediately at the location and made entry, and confronted the gunman, police say, after assisting numerous individuals to safety who were attempting to exit the building.

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