Medal of Valor Nomination Period Now Open
May 30, 2014 marked the opening of the 2013–2014 Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor nomination period. The highest national award for valor by a public safety officer, this medal is awarded annually by the President or Vice President of the United States to public safety officers who have exhibited exceptional courage, regardless of personal safety, in the attempt to save or protect human life.
According to the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor Act of 2001, an act of valor is defined as:
- Above and beyond the call of duty; and
- Exhibiting—
- exceptional courage, extraordinary decisiveness, and presence of mind.
- unusual swiftness of action, regardless of his or her personal safety, in an attempt to save or protect human life.
To receive the Medal of Valor, 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.
To learn more about the Medal of Valor, including how to nominate a public safety officer, visit the Medal of Valor website. Nominations must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. eastern time on July 31, 2014.
To view previous years’ recipients, visit the previous awardees page.
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