ATWOOD, Ill. (WCIA) — There’s a hero in Atwood and he just got a prestigious honor. A police officer was given a law enforcement purple heart after being hurt on the job. The medal came as a surprise, but his fellow officers said this is just who he is.

Edward Powell is a part-time officer with Atwood police. He got a call last January to help a Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputy with a suspect that was resisting an officer. He stepped in and helped get the situation under control, but got hurt in the process.

“Mr. Powell is an excellent officer. He’s a very, very, very brave officer,” Police Chief Joe Duncan said.

Duncan said Edward Powell has been in law enforcement a long time. But, even in his lengthy career, his actions last January stood out.

“He was responding to a deputy who was in a struggle with a violently resisting suspect,” Duncan said.

Powell jumped into action.

“Immediately, without any regard for his own safety and the struggle with the deputy to assist him and regaining control and helping in the arrest of that suspect,” Duncan said.

But, as they say, no good deed goes unpunished.

“He sustained an injury that was significant enough that he was not able to work for the police department for a period of about four months,” Duncan said.

Duncan provided a silver lining. He and Douglas County Sheriff Nathan Chaplin gave Powell the Law Enforcement Purple Heart. The medal recognizes officers who are hurt in the line of duty.

“It does a department head great pride and honor to have a really good crew [of] guys who do understand that that this job does have its dangers and are willing to accept that,” Duncan said.

The two officials kept it a secret until the last second. And in a touching moment…Powell’s wife pinned the award to his chest.

“He’s a very knowledgeable, experienced officer and a very intelligent person,” Duncan said. “We should all remember that, that there are a lot of very good officers out there that are willing to sacrifice themselves not just for their fellow officers, but for the public at large.”

Powell is back to his roles with both Atwood and State Police and was on the job today.