Officer To Be Honored For Bravery In Standoff

ROCKVILLE, Md. (AP) -- A Montgomery County police officer will receive an award from Congress for his bravery during a hostage situation at the Discovery Communications building in Silver Spring.

Officer Edward Paden Jr. is scheduled to receive the Congressional Badge of Bravery Award in a ceremony Monday.

The Washington Examiner reports that 20 other law enforcement officials from across the country have also been tapped to receive the badge. The award was created in 2008.

Police say Paden was off-duty on Sept. 1, 2010, when he learned about a gunman at the Discovery building. He went inside, allowing him to help the hostages and provide details to other officers at the scene.

The gunman, James Lee, was shot by police before he could detonate explosives.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)