State police on Thursday, May 4, presented awards to two troopers who risked their lives to protect others during a confrontation with an armed and violent suspect in Beaver County last year.

Troopers Jonnie W. Schooley III and Shawn K. Palmer, of Troop D, Beaver, were awarded the Commendation Medal for their actions July 29 while apprehending a suspect, who threatened people with a gun at an Aliquippa convenience store.

The awards were presented during a ceremony at Penn State Beaver.

Schooley, who was shot and seriously injured during the incident, was also awarded the Pennsylvania State Police Purple Heart.

Schooley and Palmer confronted the suspect inside the store and were attempting to subdue him when he drew a pistol from his waistband during the struggle. Schooley grabbed the pistol and was struck in his leg by a single round that severed a large vein.

Schooley disarmed the suspect and immediately applied a tourniquet above his wound. He received assistance from bystanders while another bystander helped Palmer subdue and arrest the suspect.

Schooley was honored March 23 as the North Atlantic Region finalist, one of four finalists, for the International Association of Chiefs of Police/Motorola Solutions Trooper of the Year Award.

Schooley enlisted in the state police in 2018 and graduated with the 154th cadet class in 2019. Before his assignment to Troop D, Beaver, he served at the Troop D, New Castle and Troop B, Washington stations. He continues to recover from the injury.

Palmer enlisted in the state police in 2014 and was assigned to Troop D upon graduating with the 141st cadet class in 2015.

Also at the ceremony, UPMC Public Safety Lt. Glenn Brunelle and Aliquippa Police Sgt. Joshua Gonzalez and Patrolman Andrew Golletti received the Troop Commander's Letter of Commendation for their lifesaving efforts during the incident.

Charles Hines and Lamarr Rawl received the Outstanding Citizenship Award. Roscoe Hodge Jr. and Matthew Weekly were presented with the Meritorious Citizenship Award.