‘Ultimate sacrifice’: Concord police honor fallen officer with Medal of Valor, Purple Heart

CONCORD, N.C. — Concord Police Chief Gary Gacek posthumously honored fallen Officer Jason Shuping on Thursday night with two awards -- the Medal of Valor and the Purple Heart.

His widow, Haylee Shuping, received them on his behalf at a special ceremony at the city council meeting.

Shuping was shot and killed by an attempted carjacker in December 2020. Officer Kaleb Robinson was also shot.

[PAST COVERAGE: Cabarrus County pays tribute to fallen Concord police officer Jason Shuping]

Robinson survived and is back on patrol. He also received both awards.

“I hope you know that if I could move heaven and earth to bring him back, I would -- to pin these medals on his chest,” Gacek said. “Jason stepped in and in doing so, took the suspects attention away from Kaleb and brought it on himself and paid the ultimate sacrifice.”

The Purple Heart is awarded for serious bodily injury or death while confronting a criminal during a police interaction.

[WANT TO WATCH ON OUR STREAMING APPS? CLICK HERE]

The Medal of Valor is the highest commendation a Concord police officer can earn.

Two other officers, Kyle Backer and Paul Stackenwaldt also received the Medal of Valor for heroically engaging the shooter that night.

(WATCH: Cabarrus County pays tribute to fallen Concord police officer Jason Shuping)

Cabarrus County pays tribute to fallen Concord police officer Jason Shuping

Cox Media Group