The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, AZ, 3/28/99

Since childhood, Rory Vertigan had been interested in becoming a police officer. One Friday afternoon, while driving back from running an errand near the Phoenix, Arizona, apartment complex he managed, his mettle for such work was put to the ultimate test. As Vertigan--who worked as a nighttime security guard--drove along, he was horrified to witness one of Phoenix's finest come under gunfire on the street immediately ahead. Officer Marc Atkinson had been following a vehicle with three men inside when the car suddenly came to a halt. The driver jumped out, drew a handgun and fired as Atkinson attempted to pull around out of danger. Tragically, the young officer was fatally struck by two bullets. As Atkinson's assailants attempted to flee, Vertigan gave chase, but backed off when their vehicle stopped again to challenge him. In the ensuing gun battle, Vertigan fired the Glock handgun he is licensed to carry from his car, wounding one of the passengers and then tackling him to the ground when he tried to escape on foot. "That individual is one of the true heroes of our time," Police Chief Harold Hurtt said of Vertigan who, at an emotional ceremony days later, was awarded a certificate of heroism, a check for $500 and a certificate to buy a new Glock pistol to replace the one police impounded.