Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

The following is a list of frequently asked questions, and their answers, received by the National Medal of Valor Office concerning the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor and its nominations. The Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor Review Board believes it would be helpful for recommending officials to review the information below before completing the nomination form.

Question: What is the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor?

Answer: The Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor is the highest national award for valor by a public safety officer. The Medal is awarded by the President of the United States to public safety officers who are cited by the United States Attorney General and recommended by the Medal of Valor Review Board (the "Board"). Public safety officers must have exhibited exceptional courage, extraordinary decisiveness and presence of mind, and unusual swiftness of action, regardless of his or her own personal safety, in an attempt to save or protect human life, where the act is deemed to be above and beyond the call of duty.

Question: When is this year's nomination form due?

Answer: Nominations are not currently being accepted. Nominations for the 2007-2008 Medal of Valor program will open late spring 2008. The 2007-2008 Medal of Valor cycle will cover the period from June 1, 2007 to May 31, 2008. All applications must be received via the online system. For submission of supplemental documents, please mail to National Medal of Valor Office 810 7th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20531.

Question: Can I nominate more than one person, or a team, for the Medal of Valor?

Answer: Yes, recommending officials may nominate more than one public safety officer. However, please note that a separate nomination form must be submitted for each individual nominee. Because the Medal of Valor is awarded for a single act that is above and beyond the call of duty, recommending officials must prepare a separate nomination form for each meritorious act.

Please note that when considering the nomination of a team (defined as two or more public safety officers responding to a single incident), there is no guarantee that all members will receive recognition.

Question: Must I complete every section of the nomination form?

Answer: Yes, please complete every section of the nomination form. The Board requires this information and may reject a nomination form that is incomplete. Recommending officials should also keep the following points in mind when preparing the nomination:

• The "nominee" is the public safety officer whose act of valor is submitted as a Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor candidate for consideration by the Board.
• Recommending officials should include the nominee's home mailing address, e-mail address, and telephone number.
• The "Appointing Authority/Submitting Agency" is the agency under which the applicant serves as a sworn public safety officer and varies by jurisdiction. In many cases, the Appointing Authority/Submitting agency will be a jurisdiction's law enforcement, fire, or emergency medical services agency. In other cases, it may be a state police, parks authority, or corrections institute.
• Each nomination form must be submitted by the "Recommending Official." The Recommending Official is the Chief Executive or Director of the appointing or submitting agency. In many cases, the chief executive or director will be a law enforcement, fire, or emergency medical services chief, director, or superintendent. In other cases, the recommending official may be a sheriff, mayor, state agency director, or governor. Please adhere to the particular requirements of your jurisdiction. The Board cannot accept nominations submitted by individuals who are not the Chief Executive or Director of the appointing or submitting agency.

Question: Will the Board accept posthumous nominations?

Answer: Yes, the Board will accept posthumous nominations and may award a medal posthumously. Recommending officials should make clear to the Board that the nomination is for posthumous award and describe whether the public safety officer's death occurred in connection with his or her act of valor.

Question: How can I keep informed about the nomination process and the award ceremony?

Answer: The National Medal of Valor Office will update its website, www.ojp.usdoj.gov/medalofvalor/, as information becomes available or, you may e-mail us at medalofvalor@usdoj.gov.

Question: Where can I find definitions for terms such as "public safety officer" and "act of valor"?

Answer: See the Medal of Valor web site at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/medalofvalor/welcome.html#background.

Question: Where can I find out information about past awardees?

Answer: Please check the archives page.

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