WIFLE Award Winner Recognized for Lifesaving Bravery in U.S. Marshals Service Shootout

In December 2020, Deputy U.S. Marshal Lisa Alvarez participated in a fugitive investigation relating to a suspect who allegedly shot a Massachusetts State Trooper during a traffic stop on November 20, 2020. The fugitive fled Massachusetts to New York where Alvarez and a team of New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force Officers learned of the fugitive’s location and prepared to investigate. The search led to an ambush and Alvarez’s bravery kept her colleagues alive. At the 21st Annual WIFLE Leadership Training, Alvarez was recognized for her superior work and fast decision-making by receiving the Julie Y. Cross Award.

Upon learning of the fugitive’s location in Bronx, New York, Alvarez and the task force officers arrived at the apartment, knocked, and announced themselves. Individuals inside the apartment notified the task force that the suspect was not on sight. The task force began a routine security sweep when they were ambushed with gunfire.

According to the U.S. Marshals Service, the shootout began at approximately 5:30am and was led by suspect Andre Sterling. During the exchange of gunfire, two task force officers were wounded. One Deputy Marshal was hit in the leg, and another was struck in his arm and leg.

The awards program detailed that despite the dangerous conditions and continued gunfire, Alvarez stepped forward to check the first officer’s wounds and begin administering tactical first aid by applying an emergency tourniquet on the officer’s upper quadricep to stop the bleeding. Alvarez’s actions prevented the officer from going into shock and kept the officer’s condition stable.

After stabilizing the first officer, Alvarez used her finger to plug the other Deputy Marshal’s gunshot would and remained with the officer until medical transport arrived.

Medical assistance would later conclude during surgery that at least one round of gunfire fired at the task force officers missed femoral arteries by a mere millimeter. Alvarez’s quick action and high-risk support for her fellow officers ultimately saved their lives. The suspect, Sterling, died in the exchange.

The WIFLE Foundation recognized Alvarez for her “courage, professionalism, and high-level of readiness and training throughout this critical situation.” Upon receiving the award at the 21st Annual Awards Banquet, women from across federal law enforcement rose in thunderous applause and tear-filled cheers to commend Alvarez.

The Julie Y. Cross Award is named in memory of the first female law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty on June 4, 1980. Cross was a U.S. Secret Service agent. According to WIFLE, “The award honors a federal law enforcement officer for an act of exceptional courage or heroism or for an unusual degree of stamina and willingness to go beyond the call of duty, resulting in an extraordinary achievement in the field of law enforcement.”