Idaho Falls police officer receives Valor Award for heroic actions when man shot police officer

IDAHO FALLS – Idaho Falls Police Officer Mitch Bierma was honored with the Greater Idaho Falls Police Foundation’s Valor Award Thursday afternoon.

Bierma has been a police officer for ten years and a certified dog handler for four. During their time together, he and his partner Argo have been arrested about a dozen times.

Bierma received the award for his actions during an incident on December 4, 2023. An Idaho State Police trooper stopped a vehicle in the parking lot of the Candlewood Suites. A man got out of the passenger seat and began firing a gun at the trooper.

At that very moment, Bierma drove into the parking lot and the man fired several shots at the police officer before running away.

Bierma pursued the suspect, who eventually shot himself in the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

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“When you watch this video, I firmly believe that the suspect was chasing the Idaho State Police trooper when Officer Bierma showed up. He turned his attention to Officer Bierma and fired at him,” said Idaho Falls Police Captain Jessica Marley. “Obviously, Officer Bierma reacted in a manner that went beyond the call of duty. He pursued and helped apprehend a bad guy while he was being fired upon. It doesn't get more difficult or daring than what he did.”

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Bierma was one of five Idaho Falls area law enforcement officers honored during the awards ceremony in Melaleuca. MVP awards were given to an Idaho Falls police officer, a Bonneville County sheriff's deputy and an Idaho State Police patrol officer, as well as the Police Officer of the Year award.

Family members, colleagues, elected officials and friends recognized the officers' work while videos featuring interviews with each award winner and their supervisors were shown.

EastIdahoNews.com has been posting videos of the five award winners over the past five days. You can watch the entire awards ceremony here.