VALOR CATEGORIES

Gold Award

The highest award for bravery and heroism. Awarded in cases in which a public safety official knowingly places his/her life in peril of death or extreme serious bodily harm while saving or attempting to save the lives of others who are clearly at risk in performance of an official act/duty. May include the saving of a life that is threatened for medical or physical reasons.

Silver Award

The second highest award for bravery and heroism. Awarded in situations when a public safety official knowingly exposes himself/herself to great personal risk in the performance of an official act. May include the saving of a life that is threatened for medical or physical reasons.

Bronze Award

Awarded in situations where during the course of an emergency, a public safety official acts involving personal risk and/or demonstrates extraordinary judgment, ingenuity or performance of his/her duties. May include the saving of a life that is threatened for medical or physical reasons.

Valorous Unit Award

Awarded for bravery and heroism demonstrated in a cooperative fashion by an entire unit in such cases where a public safety unit, as a team, demonstrates extraordinary judgment, ingenuity or performance of their duties. May include the saving of a life that is threatened for medical or physical reasons. Multiple members of the team may have exposed themselves to great personal risk in the performance of an official act or gone above what is normally expected in the performance of duty.

Merit Award

Awarded to a public safety official for demonstration of judgment, zeal or ingenuity above what is normally expected in the performance of duty. May include the saving of a life that is threatened for medical or physical reasons.