WATERTOWN, N.Y. (AP) — A state trooper who was fatally shot in the line of duty last year in northern New York has been posthumously awarded a top state honor for his bravery.

Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday that Trooper Joel Davis' three children were presented with the Division of Criminal Justice Services' Lifesaving Award during a ceremony held at the state police's Watertown station.

Davis responded to a report of a violent domestic dispute near Fort Drum in July 2017. Police say a 10th Mount Division soldier had already fatally shot his wife and was firing a gun into a shed where the wife's friend and two children sought safety.

As Davis engaged the gunman, he was fatally shot in the chest.

The accused shooter is awaiting trial on murder charges.

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