It was just like in the movies, only the bullets whizzing around a neighborhood in Baltimore were lethally real as police attempted to take an alleged armed robber and suspected murderer into custody that fall day. Leading the way, first in line for those bullets, was former Tamaqua and Rush Township Patrolman Kyle Woodward, son of George and Janice Woodward of Tamaqua.

For his actions that day, Baltimore County Cpl. Kyle Woodward was awarded a Silver Star, Baltimore County's second highest award for valor in the line of duty.The day started as part of an ongoing investigation into a series of murders and armed robberies in the Baltimore County/City area. A task force had been formed and the suspects identified. Two locations around the area had been placed under surveillance.Cpl. Woodward was in charge of the Baltimore County Career Criminal Squad, which is tasked with tracking down all homicide and attempted homicide suspects, regardless of where they may flee. It was the second day of tracking their primary suspect when a task force member spotted the man getting into the passenger side of a vehicle in Baltimore City.Cpl. Woodward and Officer Keith Boone were in an unmarked car, following the suspect vehicle for several minutes, as police cruisers began surrounding the area and a police helicopter hovered overhead. As officers stopped the getaway car, the suspect jumped out of the car and fired several rounds at the officers before taking off on foot. A foot chase began and the helicopter pilot provided valuable support, using thermal imaging to track the suspect, relaying that information to the officers on the ground. When the helicopter lit up the suspect, he fired off several more rounds at Woodward and Boone. The foot chase began anew, with shots exchanged until the suspect dropped, felled by four shots from the officers in pursuit.Ballistic tests after the incident indicated the suspect's weapon had been used in five murders in the area. He was later found guilty in Baltimore City on charges related to the foot chase and arrest. He was also tried in Baltimore County on charges of murder and attempted murder, and sentenced to several life in prison terms.A graduate of Tamaqua Area High School and the Allentown Police Academy, Woodward began his career with the Baltimore County force in 1998, patrolling the streets. Over the years, he worked his way up to the position of corporal, working in the Criminal Investigations Department. Presently, he works in the Crimes Against Children Division.His proud dad, former Tamaqua Chief of Police George "Woody" Woodward, choked up when recounting the details."Kyle's a great cop and a great father. His heart is in police work, despite the very real and present everyday dangers that come with big city crime. His mother and I are extremely proud of him."Baltimore County officials are also proud of Woodward, as the silver star award "recognizes service where valor, courage, intelligence and bravery are demonstrated over and above that normally demanded and expected of a dedicated police officer."As for the corporal, "The incident changed my life in many ways some good, some bad. I think about the crimes I deal with and the place where I grew up, where the people are much nicer, go out of their way to help and respect the police. I am just so glad I'm still here and get to see and spend time with my two kids. Without them, I don't know what I'd do."