LOUISVILLE, Ky. — United States Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, made a point to visit the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) on Thursday to recognize and honor two police officers for a "heroic" act they did over the summer. The department explained officers Mike Faulkner and Joseph Hardison tackled a double shooting suspect who aimed at Faulkner. Dramatic body camera footage was captured that July day. 

The cameras worn by the officers show the tackle. Officer Hardison took down the suspect, who was seen wielding a gun toward Faulkner moments before.

The pair were chasing the double shooting suspect, who led police on a car chase before crashing and running into a neighborhood. That's according to LMPD, and the reason behind Paul's recognition of the two. Paul congratulated them and delivered some remarks in support of the police.

"We have more murders this year in Louisville per capita than Chicago," he said. "That's not our fault or the police's fault. They're trying to stop people from shooting each other. It's a complicated problem, and we need to do something about it. But the first thing we have to do is respect the police who are trying to stop the problem, who are putting their lives on the line every day."

Louisville set a record for gun violence with 173 murders in 2020, according to LMPD. That trend has continued into 2021.

The officers were very humble about the honors and spoke little while snapping several celebratory photos. 

"We're just both extremely happy that we were able to take the suspect into custody without anyone else being injured. That's the most important thing. Get him in there so he can face justice through our justice system," said Faulkner.

"That incident could have gone a different direction. I'm glad that everybody went home that day, went home safe," Hardison said.