Syracuse (WSYR-TV) -- Twenty-eight Syracuse police officers were honored for going above and beyond the call-of-duty Tuesday night.
From a major heroin bust to the rescue of a toddler who crawled out of a second story window, police were recognized for their work over the past year.
Five of those officers rescued a young girl from a registered sex offender. As words of praise echoed around them, the men stood center stage, remembering the day a mother called for help finding her missing child in June 2011.
"She had put her to bed earlier in the evening and she had recently checked on her and when she checked on her she noticed that the bedroom and screen window was open,” said Officer Jason Tom.
"We learned that there was a friend of the family who had stopped to visit. We were also fed some information that this person was a registered sex offender,” further explained Sergeant Jim Renna.
The last person seen luring the 9-year old through her bedroom window was Tommy Lee Baker, a name Officer William Coleman recognized.
"I immediately called Officer Tom and let him know the situation and I actually gave him the address where Tommy Baker lived and told him it might be worth a shot to check over there,” said Officer Coleman.
Inside a bedroom on Edgewood Avenue, police say the attempted rape of a little girl was interrupted as officers closed in on Baker.
"It's frightening. It's everybody's worst nightmare I think. Every parents’ worst nightmare,’ Sgt. Renna said.
With an award reserved for those who go above and beyond the call-of-duty, these officers say it was a proud moment, all accomplished in a day's work.
"I went home and I kissed my daughters and I am just thankful that we were able to help someone out,” Officer Tom said.
55-year-old Tommy Lee Baker denied knowing his victim until police searched his home and found her in his bedroom. Baker is now behind bars, again, serving a 15 year sentence.
