Butler County Sheriff Kenny Harden was nominated for the Alabama Legislative Medal of Honor for Law Enforcement during a joint session of the Alabama Legislature on April 18.

The Medal of Honor is the state’s highest award for law enforcement officers.

Harden was recognized for his work to peacefully resolve a standoff in Wilcox County in August of 2012 with a Department of Corrections escapee who had taken a woman hostage.

The hostage was set free and the inmate, who had previously been held at the Butler County Correctional Facility, was taken back into custody.

Harden said he was surprised to be nominated the Medal of Honor.

“It’s very humbling,” he said. “I think it’s a very good thing that the Legislature honors law enforcement officers for the work they do. There are a lot of folks in law enforcement who deserve to be honored. I’m not saying I do, but there are officers out there that do. I’m humbled to be included with those officers.”

In a resolution from the House of Representatives Harden was described as “a wise and brave law enforcement officer and a worthy example of those caring and dedicated men and women who stand ever ready to provide prompt and professional response in times of crisis.”

Harden was one of 12 law enforcement officers to be nominated for the award at the joint session.

Mobile Police Officer Chad Wynne, Birmingham Police Officers Adam Owens, Dedrick Echols, Calvin Crow, Stephen Hanns and Christopher Martin, Jefferson County Deputy Sheriff Jacob Bradley, Lauderdale County Deputy Sheriff Gaylon Phillips, DeKalb County Deputy Sheriff Tony Wayne Blackwell and Mobile Police Officer Steven Green were also awarded the Medal of Honor.