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Opinion

NCCU alum, David Bailey

By The Editorial Board
Injured Capitol Hill Police officer David Bailey throws out a ceremonial first pitch with Joe Torre, MLB's Chief Baseball Officer, right, watching, before the Congressional baseball game, Thursday, June 15, 2017, in Washington.
Injured Capitol Hill Police officer David Bailey throws out a ceremonial first pitch with Joe Torre, MLB's Chief Baseball Officer, right, watching, before the Congressional baseball game, Thursday, June 15, 2017, in Washington. Alex Brandon AP

Seldom is it this easy to bestow this award.

David Bailey, a 2007 N. C. Central University graduate, was one of the heroes of Wednesday’s shooting at the congressional baseball practice in Alexandria, Va. A Capitol Police officer, he and other officers exchanged fire with the suspected shooter, James Hodgkinson, who later died at a hospital.

“Their response quickly contained what could have become a deadly situation and saved any lives today,” the Capitol Police Board said in a statement. Briefly hospitalized, Bailey was able to take the mound at Thursday night’s charity baseball game for which the representatives had been practicing.

NCCU leaders were justifiably full of praise. “We are especially proud of our Eagle hero,” said interim Chancellor Johnson Akinleye.

So are we, and add this week’s Durham Grit Award to his accolades.

This story was originally published June 16, 2017 at 4:18 PM with the headline "NCCU alum, David Bailey."

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