Academy Award-nominated actor Mark Wahlberg made an appearance at Atlantic Station Monday night. The actor who has appeard in "Boogie Nights," "The Italian Job" and "The Departed" was in town for a screening of his newest movie, "Broken City," and to honor a couple of hometown heroes.

The first honoree was detective Patrick Apoian. Apoian was an Atlanta police officer when he was struck and dragged by a suspect driving a stolen vehicle in 2011. Ironically, the year prior to the incident, Apoian started Humble Heroes. It's a charity devoted to assisting police officers, firefighters and their families who have been seriously injured in the line of duty.

GALLERY: Wahlberg honors heroes in Atlanta

The second honoree of the night was Warrick Dunn.The former Atlanta Falcons running back actually lost his mother 20 years ago Monday night. The off-duty police officer was murdered in an armed robbery in Baton Rouge when Dunn was a teen.

Dunn said as he reflected on the last 20 years of his life since his mother's passing, it was important for him to get out and honor an officer that put his life on the line to protect others. The former Pro-Bowler is as busy as ever even though he's retired from the NFL.

Find out what he's been doing by watching the video above.

His current pursuits, he notes, will likely surprise a lot of Falcons fans.

As for Wahlberg, he spent some time working the room, signing autographs and posing for cell phone photos with fans before addressing the crowd. "Broken City" director Allan Hughes was also at the event.

Here's a preview of "Broken City."

http://bcove.me/m9gmpy03

Following a presentation, fans were treated to a free screening of "Broken City."