Santa Monica Police Chief Timothy J. Jackman (center) awards Officers John Gallagher (right) and his partner Scott Pace (left)   the 'Medal of Valor' at City Hall on Thursday, August 14, 2008, during a SMPD Promotion Ceremony. Officers John Gallagher and Scott Pace were involved in a mufti-city pursuit of car-jack suspect which ended in a gun battle leaving suspect fatally wounded. Suspect fired multiple shotgun blasts at officers Gallagher and Pace. -  An act of valor is defined as: above and beyond the call of duty; and exhibiting exceptional courage, extraordinary decisiveness and presence of mind; unusual swiftness of action, regardless of his or her personal safety, in an attempt to save or protect human life.