The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund has announced the selection of Officers Ratko Aleksis and Stephen Neff, of the Tempe (Ariz.) Police Department as the recipients of its Officer of the Month Award for March 2014. They prevented a shooting victim from bleeding out.

Officer Aleksis, a former Licensed Practical Nurse and Officer Neff, a former Army Ranger, each carry trauma kits on the job. These items were essential in providing emergency medical support and stabilization of a victim who was bleeding heavily from a gunshot wound to the thigh after intervening in a domestic dispute. They tended to the victim with a tourniquet and bandages and cleared the house. It was 10 minutes before paramedics were given the OK to enter and render aid. Both officers had less than 18 months experience at the Tempe Police Department at the time of this incident and were assigned to separate patrol squads.

Officers Aleksis and Neff, along with the other Officer of the Month Award winners for 2014, will be honored at a special awards luncheon in Washington, DC, in May 2015, during National Police Week. In addition, their stories of heroism and service will be featured in the Memorial Fund’s annual calendar.