The Miami-Dade Police Department held a ceremony on Wednesday to award the the first-ever Military Service Awards.
The department implemented the award to commemorate all sworn personnel who are serving or have served in the United States Military, according to officials.
Department director James K. Loftus gave each recipient a ribbon.
"Please, by all means, wear this decoration around your uniforms because you all deserve it in one way or another," said Loftus.
Officer William Vasquez, a sergeant in the U.S. Army and MDPD officer, was recognized during the ceremony as he was shot in the abdomen by a troubled military veteran in an exchange of gunfire in August. Police said his life was saved by his bullet-proof vest.
Vasquez also received the department's Purple Heart award from the police department.
Prior to the award ceremony, Miami-Dade county commissioner Pepe Diaz thanked the officers for their service.
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"I promise you, as a military liason and the chair of public safety and the committee that I help, I will not stop until we make sure that every single veteran is glorified to the level that needs to be glorified," said Diaz.
