Tulsa Police Officer Honored With Purple Heart

A Tulsa police officer serving in the 45th has been awarded the purple heart for battlefield injuries.

Chad Moyer joined the National Guard after 9/11, and this is his second deployment, his first was to Iraq. But this purple heart ceremony involved not just one, but two of Tulsa's finest, who have been away serving the country.

After 9/11, Moyer wanted to sign up to defend his country, but his wife was pregnant with their son, then their daughter soon followed. After that, he joined the National Guard, prepared to do what he must.

"If I have to go to war or whatever, it's to keep America like it is," Moyer said in an earlier interview.

He did have to go to war, first to Iraq for a year, then home for 18 months, then to Afghanistan, where he's been for the past year.

He was recently awarded the purple heart after being injured when a rocket propelled grenade blew up on a wall behind him.

"I'm very proud of him. But he being the kind of man he is, doesn't feel he deserves it. There are so many other men who have had worse wounds, bigger sacrifices," said Christie Moyer, Chad's wife.

Chad was given the Purple Heart by the commander of the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Colonel Joel Ward, who just also happens to be a fellow Tulsa police officer and friend.

On the department, he is Corporal Ward and words in the gangs unit. That makes this special moment quite unique.

"Most of the time when that happens, they don't really know who you are, but, he does," Christie said.

Chad has fulfilled his desire to serve his country. Chad is on his way home. His wife says he is anxious to get back to the Gilcrease Police division.