Award of Valor
Recognition for extraordinary valor above and beyond the call of duty. Public safety officers must have exhibited extraordinary courage, decisiveness and presence of mind, and unusual swiftness of action, regardless of personal safety, to save or protect human life. This award recognizes acts that demonstrate the nobility of the policing profession.
Eligibility
- Nominee may be sworn or civilian and must be currently employed by a federal, state, local, or tribal law enforcement agency
- Nominations may be made by anyone but must be approved by the nominee’s head of agency.
- Award is for a single act in the preceding calendar year
- Recognition for extraordinary acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty.
- Valor is defined as “courage and boldness, as in battle; bravery.”
- Extraordinary is defined as going “beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly exceptional, remarkable.”
- Where risk of life existed and nominee had sufficient time to evaluate it or where a reasonable person would assume their life was in great danger.
- Where the objective is of sufficient importance to justify risk.
awards
Criteria for Consideration
- Demonstration of extraordinary professionalism as appropriate to his/her specialty through tactics, marksmanship or leadership; rescue skills; and/or medical knowledge or skill.
- Demonstration of extraordinary character through courage, endurance or calm in the face of danger.
- Nominee accomplished assigned mission:
- Suspect apprehended or killed
- Person Rescued
- Life Saved
