Richard Curran, Ed Falkowski honored for actions during 2009 shootout (video).
Syracuse, NY -- A mere 23 seconds changed the lives of two Syracuse Police detectives forever.
Detectives Ed Falkowski and Richard Curran were honored by by the city of Syracuse this morning for their actions during a shootout last April at South Salina Street and Walrath Road. Both were injured by gunfire.
Mayor Stephanie Miner presented the honors and thanked them numerous times for their actions.
"These guys are true heroes," said Police Chief Frank Fowler during a ceremony at the Public Safety Building. "At one point, both of these guys were down and out of the fight... But they got back up because they had work to do."
Both officers were also honored in Washington, D.C. last week as "Top Cops" during Law Enforcement Memorial Week, which commemorates officers who died in the line of duty.
"It's been an incredible honor, and incredible experience," Falkowski said during the ceremony this morning. "It's just part of the job. This country's becoming more violent, especially against police officers."
The night of April 13, 2009, a man with a handgun opened fire on them after they pulled his car over. The officers recovered, chased the suspect and killed him during a gunfight in which he returned fire.
Curran said a bus camera captured the shooting. When first asked how long he thought the whole episode lasted, Curran guessed about 45 seconds, he said.
The footage showed only 23 seconds elapsed from the first to last shot, Curran said. In that span, both officers were injured, returned fire and killed the suspect after a pursuit.
"It makes you re-evaluate your life, you reach out to your family and friends," he said. For him, that means making an even stronger commitment to spending time with his 7-year-old son.
"It's amazing how 23 seconds can change your life," he said.
Two Syracuse police detectives, Richard Curran (left) and Edward Falkowski (right), were honored today by Mayor Stephanie Miner and Police Chief Frank Fowler for their roles in a fatal shootout with an armed parolee in April 2009. Curran and Falkowski, who were injured in the gun battle, were also honored in Washington, D.C. on Friday as part of the national Law Enforcement Memorial Week.