The Bureau of Justice Assistance has announced that the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor nomination period is now open. The Medal of Valor is the highest national award for an act of valor accomplished by a public safety officer. It is awarded annually by the President or Vice President of the United States to a public safety officer – living or deceased – who has exhibited exceptional courage, extraordinary decisiveness and presence of mind, and unusual swiftness of action, regardless of his or her own personal safety, in the attempt to save or protect human life. A public safety officer is defined as, “a person (living or deceased) who is serving or has served in a public agency, with or without compensation, as a firefighter; law enforcement officer, including a corrections, court, or civil defense officer; or emergency services officer, as determined by the U.S. Attorney General.”
To be considered, an application file must include:
- The electronic Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor online application.
- Statements by witnesses or individuals having personal knowledge of the facts surrounding the nominee’s act of valor and/or other supporting documentation.
The Medal of Valor application should be used only for recognizing acts of valor accomplished between June 1, 2016 and May 31, 2017. Nominations are due by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 31, 2017. For questions about the Medal of Valor application process or an application submission, please contact Gregory Joy, Designated Federal Officer, Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor, at Gregory.Joy@usdoj.gov.