VALLEY VIEW -- A Valley View (Ohio) police officer is sending back a certificate he received from Congressman Dennis Kucinich, along with a scathing letter accusing Kucinich of comforting the enemy in the war in Iraq.

Captain Mark Sierleja helped rescue a despondent woman who was threatening to jump off the Valley View bridge a year a half ago. That prompted Kucinich to give him the commendation for his bravery.

But Kucinich's remarks against the war effort have prompted Sierleja to send it back.

"From what he's saying, he's more like a pitchman for Saddam Hussein," said Sierleja. "I don't want to be associated with his name or what he stands for."

Kucinich's spokesman says he appreciates Sierleja's dedication and service and regrets his decision to return the certificate.

Kucinich claims constituent letters, calls and e-mails back his anti-war stance almost two to one.

Sierleja does not live in Kucinich's district, but Valley View is in it.

Kucinich's office gives out hundreds of similar community service awards a year. The congressman is currently in Washington where he'll re-introduce his proposal for a Department of Peace on Tuesday.

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