BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)- A teenager accused of trying to kill a police officer appeared in court on Wednesday. Hours later, three police officers received an honor.
Andre Fuller, 18, pleaded not guilty to an attempted murder charge. Police say he pressed a loaded gun against an officer’s chest and pulled the trigger twice. The gun didn’t fire.
The Italian-American Police Association honored officers Anthony Fanara, Joseph Acquino and Bradford Pitts for their bravery.
The three officers were attempting to chase Fuller after he ran from a home on Doat St. they say he robbed.
Police tell us Fanara jumped out of his patrol car to stop Fuller and then the other two officers joined in on the chase.
Fanara caught Fuller and wrestled him to the ground and that’s when police say Fuller pressed a loaded gun into Fanara’s chest. Fortunately the safety was on and the officers were able to get the gun away from him.
“I work with some of the best people I’ve ever met,” said Fanara, at the ceremony. “It’s just really nice to be recognized. It’s the whole police department as a whole. I mean my life was saved because of another fellow officer.”
The officers were honored at a special dinner.
“This could have been a terrible tragedy, ” says Stephen Lanza, President of the Italian-American Police Association of Western New York. “Instead, a potentially deadly situation was diffused because of the brave actions of all of these officers. We want to recognize that.”
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