Acts of heroism praised following San Bernardino massacre

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (KABC) -- Coming out of Wednesday's tragedy are stories of exceptional heroism by both law enforcement and Good Samaritans.

As some people like Leroy Martinez reflect on the horrific mass shooting in San Bernardino that left 14 dead and 21 others wounded, they remember that as our soldiers abroad fight to protect our freedoms and keep us safe, law enforcement does the same at home.

"I'm proud of our police force, I'm proud of our military," said Martinez. "It's very heartwarming that we have protection, but at the same time, it's very sad to see that we need it."

Good Morning America interviewed a witness who described the tense moments at the Inland Regional Center during the massacre.

"I heard a lot of my colleagues running and stomping and crying so i went to go see what was happening," they said. "I saw two bodies in the back of the building, one hunched over on a bench."

Martinez said he'll never forget one particularly act of heroism as officers selflessly scrambled to lead panicked and terrified people to safety.

Cellphone video posted on Facebook by Gabi Flores shows a crowd inside the Inland Regional Center during an evacuation following the shooting and an officer telling the frightened evacuees "I'll take a bullet before you do" as he took the group to safety.

"I know we have problems with police but, like this situation, those are the things you don't see," Martinez said. "They did not hesitate. I'm proud of our police force."