Husband of 9/11 Hero Returns 'Glamour Woman of the Year' Award After Caitlyn Jenner is Honored

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Not everyone is a fan of Caitlyn Jenner.

James Smith, whose late wife, NYPD police offer Moira Smith, died after helping people evacuate from the World Trade Center during 9/11, returned his wife's 2001 Glamour Woman of the Year award after Jenner was recently given the same honor.

Smith posted an open letter to Glamour Editor-in-Chief Cindi Leive on Facebook, writing that he found the magazine's choice to honor Jenner "insulting" to his late wife's memory, "and the memory of other heroic women who have earned this award."

WATCH: Caitlyn and Kris Jenner Have 'Celebratory' Reunion at Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

"Was there no woman in America, or the rest of the world, more deserving than this man?" Smith, a former police officer, wrote. "At a time when we have women in the armed forces fighting and dying for our country, heroic doctors fighting deadly diseases, women police officers and firefighters putting their lives on the line for total strangers, brave women overcoming life threatening diseases…the list of possibilities goes on…is this the best you could do?"

"After discussing this slap in the face to the memory of our Hero with my family, I have decided to return Moira's award to Glamour Magazine," he concluded. A copy of the letter was also sent with the trophy.


Glamour
magazine has responded, and stands by their decision to honor the 66-year-old Olympian.

"Glamour was proud to honor Police Officer Moira Smith in 2001 and we stand by our decision to honor Caitlyn Jenner among our class of winners in 2015," a Glamour spokeswoman tells ET. "Caitlyn Jenner has helped shine a light on the problems faced by transgender youth and given voice to a community that is often unheard. Glamour's Women of the Year Awards recognizes brave, bold women who in their individual ways have all made a significant difference in the world."

ET has reached out to Smith for comment.


Glamour
honored Jenner last week for her work in transgender awareness and advocacy. During her acceptance speech, the reality star opened up about her emotional journey since coming out as a transgender woman in April.

"Maybe this is why God put me on this earth -- to tell my story, to be authentic to myself about who I am," she said. "And maybe in doing that, maybe you can make a difference in the world. What a great opportunity in life to have. So few of us ever get to have that opportunity."

WATCH: Caitlyn Jenner Wears Same Dress That Kate Middleton Wore for Her 2010 Engagement Pics

Obviously, Jenner is aware of her critics. Last Thursday, she confronted a protester during a luncheon in Chicago, Illinois, who could be heard saying, "You are an insult to trans people, you are an insult to women." Jenner appeared to try and diffuse the protester, before being escorted away by her security.

"I thought she handled the situation with poise," B96 Chicago radio personality Showbiz Shelly, who witnessed the confrontation, told ET. "By confronting the protesters in the way she did, she emphasized the themes she talked about in her speech. To be respectful, be brave and stand up for what you believe in."

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