When a gunman strapped with explosives took Tom Fisher and two others hostage at Discovery Communications last year, they understandably feared for their lives, according to the former security guard.

"Anybody who tells you they aren't scared in a situation like that is lying," said Fisher, who now is an account manager for the company's security contract.

But Fisher said he knew the hostages, employees and children in the company's day-care center Sept. 1 would make it out alive when police, firefighters, sheriff's deputies and bomb squad technicians arrived on the scene.

On Friday, Fisher was among about 1,200 people gathered to thank those first-responders and others who demonstrated impressive acts of bravery last year — earning them medals of honor and the title of hero.

Sixty Montgomery County public safety employees were honored during the 37th annual Public Safety Awards in North Bethesda, hosted by the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce.

Thirty-seven of those to receive awards were first-responders to the Sept. 1 hostage situation at Discovery Communications in downtown Silver Spring.

The gunman, James J. Lee, was killed by police after a four-hour standoff. No others were injured.

Police Chief J. Thomas Manger said the FBI has determined that the Discovery incident is the first time in the nation's history that an apparent suicide bomber has taken hostages.

"I could not be more proud," Manger said of his department's response. "[The officers] went to work just thinking it was another day. If things had gone in a different direction, it could have been their last day."

Edward E. Paden Jr., one of the first officers to respond to the Discovery scene and the first inside the building, received the highest honor, the Gold Medal of Valor.

Paden, who was off-duty but nearby at the time of the incident, said he was able to get the best view of Lee and provide key details to other officers, including a description of the suspect and his weapons.

Fourteen others received the Gold Medal of Valor, which is not awarded each year.

Steven Robins, a principal with the Bethesda-based law firm Lerch, Early and Brewer who has chaired the public safety awards for 10 years, said only 13 other Gold Medal of Valor honors have been awarded in the event's 36 years. The Gazette was a sponsor of Friday's ceremony.

Capt. Mike Redding and Lt. Matthew Trivett, of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue bomb squad, both received the Bronze Medal of Valor for their heroism during the Discovery incident.

Presenters said the bomb technicians chose to save the lives of the hostages rather than protect their own.

"Afterward, it started to sink in that this really had the potential for some bad outcomes," Trivett said.

Lead negotiator John L. Wilkes also received the Bronze Medal of Valor Friday. He said he was surprised to be singled out for his role in the incident and that he still has some regrets about the outcome.

"I was sad I couldn't get [Lee] out," Wilkes said, of the gunman's death. "As a negotiator it is my job to get everyone out."

More online

-To read a Q&A with county police Officer Edward Paden Jr., see this story

at www.gazette.net/

montgomery.

-Paden has been nominated as an "America's Most Wanted" All Star. Go to www.amw.com/allstar/

2011 and search for his name.

ecunningham@gazette.net