Every day, public safety officers risk their lives to protect America’s citizens and communities. To honor that commitment, Congress passed the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor Act of 2001, creating the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor. This award is the highest national award for valor by a public safety officer. Each year, the President awards the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor to those public safety officers who not only exhibited exceptional courage in saving and protecting others, but also committed heroic acts above and beyond the call of duty. To receive the award, public safety officers must be nominated by the chief executive officer of their employing agencies, recommended by the bipartisan Medal of Valor Review Board, and cited by the Attorney General. The nomination period is now officially open and will close on July 31, 2013. For more information or to nominate a public safety officer for this award, click on the link below.