Arizona Medal Of Valor

In 2018, Governor Doug Ducey issued an executive order creating the Arizona Medal of Valor, an award that recognizes and honors the public safety officers and first responders who put their lives on the line to protect the safety of Arizonans. 

The Arizona Medal of Valor honors those serving in an official capacity at an Arizona public agency as a peace officer, firefighter, first responder, or other law enforcement capacity, including a correctional officer, who engaged in an extraordinary act of valor, courageousness, or heroism while on the job.

To be considered for this award, the nominee will have engaged in an extraordinary act of valor, courageousness or heroism. The nominee’s actions should be reflective of several of the below criteria:

Nomination Criteria:

• The action was above and beyond what is expected as part of the nominee’s normal professional responsibility.
• The nominee accomplished the heroic act, or was prevented from doing so, by sustaining injury or fatality.
• The nominee was killed in the line of duty as a result of a violent encounter.
• The circumstances surrounding the incident were outside of the nominee’s control.
• Immediate and decisive action was necessary for the preservation of life.
• The action demonstrated outstanding bravery, courage, self-sacrifice and concern for the welfare of others.
• The circumstances surrounding the incident were of sufficient magnitude to justify the risks taken by the nominee.
• The nominee had time to perceive the imminent risk and took action, even though sufficient time was not available to mitigate the risk.
• The circumstances and environment surrounding the incident were unusually difficult.
• The nominee’s actions do not justify disciplinary action or other sanctions.

Nomination Submission Protocol 

The Arizona Medal of Honor Review Board will be chaired by a representative from the Office of the Arizona Governor. Additional board members include the Director of the Department of Public Safety, the Director of the Department of Forestry and Fire Management, the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board Chairman, an Arizona Police Chief (two-year term), and an Arizona Fire Chief (two-year term). Medal of Valor nominations can be submitted at any time and will be reviewed by the Arizona Medal of Valor Review Board by January 31 and July 31 of each year. Nominations shall only be submitted by the Governor, the nominee’s agency director, the chief official, or the Arizona Medal of Valor Review Board members.

Medal of Valor nominations may only be submitted to the review board by completing the online submittal form through the link below. Nominations should include sufficient detail to allow for a thorough review.

Required Information and Supporting Documentation

• The name, age, agency and contact information for the nominee.
• A photograph of the nominee and other involved persons.
• A bio of the nominee including prior work history and accomplishments.
• The date, time and location of the incident including environmental or other unusual conditions.
• A complete description of the incident detailing the risk involved and the methods used to accomplish the heroic act(s).
• Copies of incident reports, incident photographs and witness statements.
• Examples of media coverage that the incident received.
• Any other materials which support the award nomination and are indicative of the award criteria.

Questions regarding the award criteria or nomination process should be directed to the Arizona Medal of Valor Review Board at (602) 223-5070 or [email protected].