Gov. Patrick Morrisey expressed support for the Purple Heart, the U.S. military medal for wounded or fallen service members, to be awarded to West Virginia National Guard members Sarah Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe.
“I want the families of Sarah Beckstrom and Andy Wolfe to know that West Virginia stands with you, and I couldn’t think of two more deserving service members for this award, so this is wonderful,” Morrisey said.
Beckstrom, 20, and Wolfe, 24, were shot Nov. 26 while on duty in Washington, D.C. Beckstrom died on Thanksgiving Day, and Wolfe continues to recover from serious injuries.
Morrisey, at a news conference, announced that his office has formally requested for a Purple Heart to be awarded to Beckstrom posthumously.
“She made the ultimate sacrifice defending the freedoms we all hold dear,” Morrisey said.
And the governor said his office has also requested a Purple Heart to be awarded to Wolfe. “He’s fought for his life for weeks,” Morrisey said.
Beckstrom is from Summersville and was assigned to the 863rd Military Police Company, 111th Engineer Brigade, West Virginia Army National Guard. She entered service on June 26, 2023.
Wolfe of Martinsburg was assigned to the Force Support Squadron, 167th Airlift Wing, West Virginia Air National Guard. He entered service on February 5, 2019.
Beckstrom and Wolfe were on duty near the Farragut West public transportation hub at the corner of 17th and I Streets NW, Washington, D.C.
Authorities have said the suspect in the shooting, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, came around a corner, raised his gun and fired at Guardsmen who were gathered at the location near a Metro stop. He has been formally charged with murder.
“Sarah and Andrew’s actions on that day, they meet the highest and clearest standards of the Purple Heart, a designation that recognizes those wounded or killed in action against an enemy or during a hostile or terrorist act,” Morrisey said.
On August 11, President Donald Trump declared a “crime emergency” for the District of Columbia, and five days later Governor Morrisey deployed 300 to 400 members of the West Virginia National Guard for support.
The president’s emergency declaration, which placed the Metropolitan Police Department under federal direction, expired after 30 days, Sept. 10, but the National Guard presence continued.
In November, the West Virginia National Guard announced participation in patrols in Washington, D.C., would continue until the end of the year. However, the mission was being scaled back.
About 160 West Virginia National Guard volunteers were approved to remain in D.C. All personnel not continuing as part of the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission returned to West Virginia.
Both Wolfe and Beckstrom had been on Task Force orders in the district since the beginning of the mission in August of this year, the National Guard said.
According to the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, more than 1.8 million Purple Heart medals have been presented to service members since the award was created in 1782.
A commanding officer or medical staff typically initiates the process by completing a Purple Heart nomination form, detailing the incident and injury. The nomination moves up the chain of command for approval.