NATION : Wounded Agent Who Killed 2 Robbers Cited for Valor by FBI

The FBI awarded its first medal of valor today to Special Agent Edmundo Mireles, who killed two bank robbers in a 1986 gunfight in Miami after they killed two agents and wounded him.

The award was created this year to honor agents for exceptional acts of heroism in the face of life-threatening situations.

Mireles was severely wounded twice and was nearly unconscious when he shot the robbers, the bureau said in its citation. The shooting began after several FBI agents followed the robbers in cars and cornered them in a residential neighborhood where they exchanged 145 shots.

“With fellow agents sprawled on the ground, Agent Mireles drew courage from an extraordinary inner strength inspiring him to put a stop to these vicious criminals.

“Firing his shotgun and then reverting to his revolver, Agent Mireles walked, firing, up to the perpetrators who were by now attempting escape in a vehicle, and put a final end to the shoot-out,” the FBI said.

Atty. Gen. Dick Thornburgh, speaking at the award ceremony at FBI headquarters, said Mireles and other law enforcement officers are facing greater danger than ever from drug lords and other well-armed criminals.