The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is seeking nominations for its annual Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor now through July 31, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. ET. To honor public safety officers, Congress passed The Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor Act of 2001, which created the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor—the highest national award for valor for public safety officers. The Medal of Valor recognizes acts of heroism and bravery by living or deceased public safety officers who serve or have served in a public agency as a firefighter, law enforcement officer, corrections officer, court officer, civil defense officer, or emergency services officer.
To be eligible, nominees must have demonstrated one of the following acts of valor between June 1, 2019 and May 31, 2020:
- Went above and beyond the call of duty.
- Exhibited exceptional courage, extraordinary decisiveness, and presence of mind.
- Displayed unusual swiftness of action—regardless of his or her personal safety—in an attempt to save or protect human life.
Visit the Medal of Valor web page to learn more about this award and how to submit a nomination.