DeKalb County officers receives Congressional Badge of Bravery

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A DeKalb County police officer nearly lost his life two years ago during a shootout. Since then, he has been back to work, but Friday he was honored for his courage and bravery he showed during those moments.

"Officer Luong I'm so honored to be able to present you with this Congressional Badge of Bravery," were the words Congressman Barry Loudermilk spoke as he presented Officer Tony Luoung with the Congressional Badge of Bravery.

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Loudermilk presented Luoung with a metal, as well as a ribbon and pin for his courageous efforts to stop an armed robbery.

Luong and Officer Devon Perry responded to a home invasion call. As the officers stepped out of the car, shots were fired. Police said the officers were ambushed. Officer Luong was shot in the leg and Officer Perry was wounded in the calf.

"They didn't back off, they continued pursuit that's bravery. Being able to control that fear, being able to do what's right even though it's tough," said Loudermilk.

"It's a scary incident to think about. It will always stay with me. The most important thing tome at the end of the day we all go home safely to our families that's what matters," said Luong.

Luong said at one point while in the back of an ambulance, he didn't know if he would survive.

"I realized I was bleeding out. It was in a bad spot. I didn't realize it until afterwards that I only had a couple of minutes to live because the round hit my femoral artery," said Luong.

But Luong did survive, and couldn't get back to work fast enough. Congressman Loudermilk said that speaks to the officer's character.

"To put your life out there for someone else, there is no greater love that a man willing to lay down his life for someone else and that's what we've see out of Office Luong," said Loudermilk.

Which is why the U.S. Attorney General's Office wanted to present him with the award, but for Luong he's more excited that he's just here to accept the award.

"As far as the metal it's just a piece of metal. The real honor is just being able to live through it," said Luong.

Office Luong said that night there were so many brave officers on the scene. He said he would not be alive had it not been for one of his fellow officers who sprang into action and tied a tourniquet around his leg to keep him from bleeding out.