There was more recognition and support Monday night for Officer Mike Flamion, a Ballwin police officer paralyzed by a bullet last summer during a July traffic stop.
At the Ballwin Board of Alderman meeting, Officer Flamion received the law enforcement Purple Heart for the line of duty injury that paralyzed him, and the Medal of Valor from the Crusade Against Crime of America and the St. Louis Area Police Chiefs Association.
Friends, family, police officers, even the Patriot Guard turned out to recognize Officer Flamion who was shot in the neck July 8.
"Having the support that backs me is kind of what keeps me going. You know, whenever you're injured like this it would be easy to just call it quits and be done with it," said Flamion, "but to have the support from the police department and the citizens, getting the cards from the schools, just everything. It's what keeps you going, what keeps you in the fight."
In the military, "got your six" means "I've got your back," and Officer Flamion said Monday's ceremony let him know that the Ballwin community has his six.
"The police department, the citizens, it seems that everybody's got my six. It's amazing," said Flamion.
"Officer Flamion is a hero. For years, he put his life on the line to keep our families and communities safe. We owe him our deepest gratitude and admiration. Men and women like Officer Flamion are always on call for us, and I'll always have their backs," Governor-elect Eric Greitens said in a statment.
