Department of Public Safety News Release

In order to honor Missouri Public Safety Medals winners with their awards closer to when they performed their heroic acts, the nomination deadline for the awards is being advanced one month, to Feb. 29, 2020. The new nomination deadline going forward will be the last day of February for heroic acts performed the year before. Previously, the deadline was March 31.

This year’s ceremony for heroic acts performed in 2018 was held on Oct. 7, 2019, more than 18 months after some of the events leading to the awards took place. 

• The Missouri Medal of Valor recognizes heroic service by first responders in an effort to save a life. The Medal of Valor is Missouri’s highest award for public safety officers and is awarded to those who exhibit exceptional courage, decisiveness and swift action without regard for their own safety in their attempt to save a life. Law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services, state and local corrections officers, court officers and emergency management personnel are eligible.
• The Governor’s Medal recognizes extraordinary actions by an organized or ad hoc team of first responders for brave actions above and beyond the call of normal duty during a critical situation in which their teamwork was essential to the successful resolution of the situation. Law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services, state and local corrections officers, court officers and emergency management personnel are eligible.
• The Public Safety Civilian Partnership Award honors a civilian who has provided valuable or courageous assistance to first responders in an emergency situation, without regard for their own personal welfare. It may also be bestowed on a civilian or team of civilians who train public safety officers in life-saving techniques which are later utilized to save a life.

Nomination forms and additional information about the awards, including who is eligible to make a nomination, is available at: http://dps.mo.gov/medal/. There is a different nomination form for each award. All nominations must be postmarked by Feb. 29, 2020.

For award purposes, public safety officers or first responders must be individuals who serve a public agency, with or without compensation, as a firefighter, law enforcement officer, emergency responder or emergency management personnel, including EMTs and paramedics. State and local corrections and court officers are also eligible.

For more information, call 573-751-5432 or e-mail mike.oconnell@dps.mo.gov