Boston police officer cited for heroism after marathon bombing is shot

A Boston police officer who helped a transit police officer escape during a shootout after the Boston Marathon bombing last year has himself been shot and critically wounded.

Boston police say Officer John T. Moynihan, 34, suffered a gunshot wound during a traffic stop on Friday in Roxbury. They say the suspect, Angelo West, stepped out of the car during the stop and fired at officers.

West, 41, was killed by police at the scene. A bystander, who was not identified on Saturday, suffered a gunshot wound that was not believed to be life-threatening.

Moynihan was shot under the right eye and the bullet lodged behind his right ear, Boston Police Commissioner William B. Evans said at a Saturday news conference. Evans said Moynihan was heavily sedated.

Evans said officers identified themselves and had blue lights flashing, and the traffic stop as recorded by a police dashboard camera was typical until the gunman stepped out of the car.

“You just clearly see the driver come out of the driver’s side and his hand’s going up as he’s going out,” Evans said, “Point-blank, he shoots the officer in the face.

“No officers were even close to having their guns out.”

City officials said their thoughts were with the officer and his family.

“These acts of violence have no place in our neighborhoods,” Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh said in a statement. “Our community is stronger than ever, and tonight we are thankful for all of those who put their lives on the on the line everyday to protect our city.”

According to the Boston Globe, Moynihan received a Top Cop Award at the White House from President Obama for his work helping wounded transit police Officer Richard Donohue Jr. escape during a shootout with Boston Marathon bombing suspects Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.

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