Officer Donald Moore (center) received the Rome Police Department's Medal of Valor
ROME -- Rome Police Officer Donald Moore was honored Wednesday for saving lives in a store shooting.
25-year-old Moore says, "It was obviously a tragic accident, and it definitely changed my life. I see how precious life really is."
Moore was awarded his police department's highest honor, the Medal of Valor, in front of his family, friends and fellow officers.
Rome Police Chief Kevin Beach says "He needs to be recognized for the outstanding work that he performed."
Beach says Moore went above and beyond the call of duty in May, when a gunman came to an AT&T store in New York Mills and started shooting.
Police say 79-year-old Abraham Dickan had a list with the names of 6 employees at the store, who he allegedly wanted to kill. Dickan shot and wounded one worker.
Officer Moore was off-duty and shopping at the store at the time. He fired his personal weapon, killing the gunman, and putting an end to a situation police say could have been even worse.
"It's not something any officer wants to do, it's obviously something we prepare for, we train for and whatever arises we have to act," says Moore.
"We would all like to think that we would act the same, but until you're put in that situation, we don't know how we're going to react," said Beach.
But Moore is a very humble hero, it's a title he says he's having a hard time grasping.
"For whatever reason, I was there that day and I'm thankful God was watching over me that day, protecting me and the innocent people inside that store," he said.
"We are very proud, and he's a hero but we're very sad for the employees and it's been difficult," says Moore's Mother Mickey.
The Rome Police Chief says to his knowledge, this is the first time the department has handed out the Medal of Valor, but this will likely be the first of many awards for Officer Moore.
