President Barack Obama praised the recipients of 2014 National Association of Police Organizations T

(12 May 2014) FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus010309 The United States owes a debt to the police officers who put themselves in danger to protect the nation, President Barack Obama said Monday as he honored the nation's top police officers at the White House. In a ceremony in the East Room, Obama praised the recipients of 2014 National Association of Police Organizations TOP COPS. Obama said when the moment came, the officers didn't hesitate to take action, but instead ran toward danger. "The 53 officers, detectives, patrolmen, special agents, and troopers that we celebrate today are America's finest, the best of the best," Obama said. Some of the officers honored helped respond to the Boston Marathon bombing or the shooting at the Washington Navy Yard. Obama said some sustained injuries or lost friends and partners in the call of duty. All of the officers honored this year were men. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...