ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Rochester Police Officer Denny Wright received the department’s highest honor Thursday, for actions he took during a violent situation in October 2019 that left him blind.

Officer Wright says he is lucky to be alive, and able to receive not just the department’s Purple Heart, but the Medal of Valor.

“This is a profound experience for me,” he said. “I’m a lucky man to be standing here at all, and it’s because of the officers and civilians that helped out that day.”

In October 2019, Wright was responding to a domestic situation when he was attacked by a suspect and seriously injured. He was rushed to the hospital, but left blind in both eyes.

“How do you spell out somebody being a hero? I can’t even put it into words.” RPD Interim Chief Cynthia Herriott-Sullivan said.

But Wright said he wouldn’t come if the other 10 officers on scene that day weren’t recognized too — and they were.

“You should all be commended for the actions that you took to save your fellow officer, and for what you did on that day. And for that, the chief is going to award you all the Excellent Police Service award,” Investigator Frank Camp said.

But Officer Kelley Lusk says she didn’t do anything any other officer wouldn’t have done.

“It feels good, but it’s about Denny,” Lusk said. “He’s an amazing person. We’ve learned so much from each other, and this is more about him than it is about me.”

The three civilians that stepped in to help during the attack were also recognized.

“It was an exceptional act of courage for them to step in to that house, not knowing what may or may not happen to them as they tried to help me,” Wright said.

One of those civilians, Lydell Weatherspoon, says he couldn’t just ignore Wright’s calls for help.

“I’m just glad to see him here with his family, of course,” Weatherspoon said. “It’s beautiful to see him. It wasn’t a beautiful sight, I don’t know how to put it into words. I’m just happy to see him.”

Herriott-Sullivan says Wright embodies the best of the department – and appreciates more than just his words of support to her.

“I just want to thank you not just for those great words you spoke to me that day, but also for being an excellent example that you continue to be for everybody in this police department, not just here, but for law enforcement across the country,” Herriott-Sullivan said.