Nearly every seat in the Adams Township municipal building was filled Monday night as residents, family members, fellow first responders, and members of the Adams Area Fire District gathered to honor three township police officers whose actions helped stop the July 13, 2024 assassination attempt on then-presidential candidate Donald Trump.
During their November meeting, supervisors unanimously adopted three resolutions recognizing Sergeant Aaron Zaliponi, Patrol Officer Chris Kopas, and Sergeant Edward Lenz for their roles in the crucial moments that unfolded at the Butler Farm Show grounds.
According to a formal letter of recommendation sent by Chief Shawn Anglum to the White House earlier this year, Zaliponi’s actions on July 13 met the threshold for consideration for the Medal of Valor. In the letter, Anglum noted that Zaliponi was positioned roughly 115 yards from the shooter with no magnified optic when he fired the single round that struck the weapon and ended the attack. The Chief also highlighted that after neutralizing the threat, Zaliponi moved into the stands to assist injured civilians and later helped establish a secure perimeter at Butler Memorial Hospital for the Secret Service.
During the ceremony, Township Manager Mike Tylka read each resolution aloud before the board voted. Supervisors Chairman Russell Ford, Ronald Shemela, David Goodworth, and Ronald Nacey each offered personal praise for the officers, commending their courage, professionalism, and the critical roles they played during the July 13 attack. Supervisor Darryl Brandon, who was not physically present but participated via livestream, also expressed his appreciation and support. Their collective remarks underscored the unanimous pride the township holds for Sergeant Aaron Zaliponi, Patrol Officer Chris Kopas, and Sergeant Edward Lenz.
WPXI sent a cameraman. The room was silent as each officer stood before the board, surrounded by colleagues and community members, while local, state, and federal officials presented commendations.
Part of a Highly Trained Tactical Response Team
All three officers honored Monday night serve not only with Adams Township Police, but also with the Butler County Emergency Services Unit (ESU) — a multi-jurisdictional tactical response team trained to respond to high-risk incidents across the county.
According to official ESU documentation, the team includes patrol officers, crisis negotiators, tactical medics, and specialists from multiple departments. Members train a minimum of 192 hours per year to maintain readiness. The County provides equipment and vehicles, but officers volunteer their time for service.
This advanced training and coordination played a central role in the events of July 13.
‘They moved when everyone else was stuck’
State Rep. Stephanie Scialabba, seated in the front row when the shots began, delivered an emotional tribute. She recalled immediately recognizing the sound of gunfire.
“I own firearms… I knew right away that’s what it was,” she said. “We all dropped to the ground… I was looking at a clear open sky thinking, ‘Is this it? Am I going to see my child again?’”
She credited the Adams Township officers with saving her life.
“It means that I’m here tonight to recognize these officers. I very well may not have been,” she said. “When everyone else was stuck — they moved.”
A representative from Congressman Mike Kelly’s office also presented federal commendations.
Sergeant Aaron Zaliponi: The Shot That Stopped the Attack
According to ESU’s official summary report, Zaliponi served as the Alpha Squad Team Leader for the counterassault team during the rally. When the shooting began, he was positioned approximately 115 yards from the AGR building with no magnification on his rifle optics. Within six seconds of locating the shooter, he fired a single round that struck the gun and halted the attack. No additional shots were fired after Zaliponi engaged the suspect.
In his interview with The 228 Times, Zaliponi described the moment he identified the shooter: “Once the fourth shot was fired, that’s when I looked up. I’m like, ‘Oh, there you are.’ I raised my rifle, acquired my target, and engaged after the eighth shot.”
He said the response was instinctive—a lifetime of police and military training funneling into a split-second decision. “I’ve trained basically my whole life for that kind of stuff,” he said.
Even so, Zaliponi repeatedly redirected praise toward his team. “Not just myself — I’d rather the guys get more recognition than me. The world doesn’t know what those guys did that day.”
Sergeant Chris Kopas: Spotting the Threat Before Anyone Else
According to the ESU report, Kopas was monitoring the AGR grounds when he identified several individuals whose behavior appeared abnormal. One of them was later confirmed to be the shooter. Kopas alerted the command post and coordinated information with a sniper team, prompting officers to begin investigating the area before the first shot was fired.
He later deployed to the roof of the AGR building alongside officers working to locate the suspect.
Kopas said his training in identifying behavioral anomalies guided him that afternoon.
“A lot of my training is specifically identifying abnormalities — something outside the norm of human behavior,” he said. “None of us hesitated. We took decisive action when it became present it was needed.”
The Cranberry Township native said he was humbled by the community’s support.
“This is not why we do what we do… but it means a lot that people would take the time to recognize extraordinary circumstances.”
Sergeant Edward Lenz: Tactical Commander on Scene
According to ESU documentation, Lenz oversaw officers from the Butler County ESU, Beaver County ESU, and Washington Regional SWAT teams. He also participated in every post-incident investigation and later testified before a House Task Force in Washington, D.C. about the attack and law enforcement response.
Lenz spoke at the conclusion of Monday’s ceremony, thanking township leaders, fellow officers, and the community for the recognition. He said he was honored to receive it and deeply proud to serve with the Adams Township Police Department.
“Thank you for this recognition,” Lenz said. “I’m proud to be a member of the Adams Township Police Department, and proud of the work our officers did that day.”
Chief Anglum: ‘I’m proud of them’
“These officers acted decisively, professionally, and without hesitation,” Anglum said. “I’m proud of them.”
As the meeting adjourned, residents lined up to shake hands with the three officers. The ceremony served as both a tribute and a reminder of the training, teamwork, and bravery that prevented a national tragedy from becoming far worse.
For Rep. Scialabba, the gratitude was deeply personal.
“It’s not often you realize you truly could have died,” she said. “To be here tonight is owed to them.”
