Each day, Public Safety officers risk their lives to protect American Citizens and communities.

To honor that commitment, 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 by a public safety officer.

Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor brochure

Background

The Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor is awarded by the President to public safety officers cited by the Attorney General and recommended by the Medal of Valor Review Board.

The Attorney General designated the Assistant Attorney General's Office, Office of Justice Programs (OJP) to serve as the Federal point of contact for the Medal of Valor initiative.

Legislation

Medal of Valor Initiative Frequently Asked Questions

The Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor Act, which was enacted on May 30, 2001, creates the Public Safety Medal of Valor as the highest national award for valor by a public safety officer.

"Public safety officer" is defined as a person (living or deceased) who serve(d) in a public agency, with or without compensation, as a firefighter, law enforcement officer (including a corrections or court officer, or a civil defense officer), or emergency services officer, as determined by the Attorney General.

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.

Medal of Valor Review Board

On January 14, 2002, the Charter for the Medal of Valor Review Board was signed by Attorney General John Ashcroft. As required by the legislation, the eleven-member board was appointed by the President, the Majority and Minority Leaders of the U.S. Senate, and the Speaker and the Minority Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives.

The board, which comprises representatives of the public safety community and the general public, reviews the nominations and recommends individuals for recognition.

Nominations

Applications must be submitted by an Appointing Authority or Agency. Public safety officers must be nominated by the chief executives of their employing agencies.

Nominations must be submitted on the Medal of Valor application form.

Nomination will be accepted through July 31, 2008.

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