Sheriff's SWAT team honored for takedown of Downey gunman

EXPOSITION PARK, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A group of Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department SWAT team members were honored with the agency's Medal of Valor.

On Sept. 10, 2015, the SWAT team stormed the Chris & Pitt's BBQ restaurant in Downey, where an armed carjacking suspect was holding diners hostage.

The deputies stormed the restaurant and killed the gunman with no serious injuries to anyone else.

"We hold each of you in the highest regard for the manner in which you have represented your community, the department, the uniform and the badge of honor we work so hard for every day," Sheriff Jim McDonnell told the honorees.

The 34th annual ceremony was held at USC's Galen Center, with ABC7's David Ono serving as master of ceremonies.

Sgt. Kamal Ahmad, who led the team that day, said it was just part of their job.

"I appreciate it, but we were just doing our job out there and just glad that everyone was safe."

This year's ceremony was dedicated to the memory of Lancaster sheriff's Sgt. Steve Owen, who was killed in the line of duty earlier this month.

His widow, Deputy Tania Owen, thanked the community and the department for the outpouring of support.