Oak Creek shooting

Milwaukee Admirals honor Oak Creek police officers, Sikh temple members

CREATED Oct. 19, 2012 - UPDATED: Oct. 19, 2012

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  • Annie Scholz reports Video by 620wtmj.com

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MILWAUKEE- They risked their lives to stop the Oak Creek Sikh temple gunman, so a special honor was held for Oak Creek Police Lieutenant Brian Murphy, Officer Sam Lenda and the Oak Creek Sikh community.

The officers were invited to drop the ceremonial puck in Friday night's Milwaukee Admirals home opener at the Bradley Center.  They were joined by members of the Oak Creek Sikh temple, and the crowd made it clear -- they haven't forgotten what happened that day.

Oak Creek Police Lieutenant Brian Murphy, Officer Sam Lenda, and members of the Sikh temple received a standing ovation at the Admirals game Friday night.

"I've actually had some of them down at our range shooting with them, so it's really an honor that they invited us here to do this today," says Officer Lenda.

Fans say the honor was theirs.

"What the officers did was amazing and to be respected, I'm just glad to be part of the crowd that could honor them in a small way," says fan Ann Snyder.

For the Sikh temple members, it's another show of support and solidarity.

"Hockey traditionally is not an Indian sport but it's nice that the diversity is celebrated tonight," says Oak Creek Sikh temple member Pardeep Kaleka.

And the crowd celebrated Lieutenant Murphy's miraculous recovery.

"Brian's doing good," says Officer Lenda.  "He's getting his voice back..."

Admirals owner Harris Turer may have said it best.

"It's just a great night for everyone."