Midwest City Police Officer Receives Medal of Valor

The story behind Maj. David Huff’s Medal of Valor begins three years ago at a Walmart. It’s where he saved the life of 2-year-old Zoey, who was held at knifepoint.

News 9 crews spoke with Zoey’s mother, Alicia Keating, nearly three years ago shortly after the incident.

“I turned around and there was a tall huge man standing there with my baby in his arms and I saw the knife and I thought, this can’t be real,” Keating recalled.

Huff, who was nearby, acted quickly to save the little girl’s life.

“When I heard the gunshot, I automatically thought he had killed her. I started screaming and jerking around and threw my hands in the air,” said Keating

The bullet struck and killed kidnapper Sammie Wallace.

Huff reflected on those tense moments after the ceremony.

“All I can describe it as, is intense and there is no way I was going to let that little girl get hurt,” Huff said.

President Obama praised Huff and the other officers in the room for their individual valiant efforts. Obama said thanks to their actions, multiple innocent lives were saved.

“Thankfully, they are still with their families because these officers were where they needed to be at a most critical time,” said the President.

Keating wasn’t at the Washington D.C. ceremony, but shared her appreciation on social media saying.

“We salute you and are forever grateful! You saved our baby,” said Keating.

In 2014, Huff was named Officer of the Year by the Oklahoma Association of Chiefs of Police.