Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales honored the nation’s Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor recipients during a special ceremony at the Department of Justice on Thursday, March 16. The Medal of Valor is the highest national award for valor by a public safety officer honoring heroic action performed above and beyond the call of duty. The Attorney General honored recipients from the nation’s law enforcement, firefighting and emergency services.
“Today we honor the personal courage and selfless service demonstrated by these Medal of Valor recipients through their individual acts of heroism,” said Attorney General Gonzales. “Their sense of duty, respect for others and willingness to subordinate their personal safety to fellow officers and citizens provide the clearest example of the values that make the United States and its public servants so great.”
Two of the 2004-2005 Medal of Valor recipients were members of the fire service; Firefighter Edward F. Henry, Charleston, SC and Battalion Chief Gene F. Large, Jr., Fort Walton Beach, FL. Earlier on Thursday, the President presented the Medals of Valor during a White House ceremony in the Oval Office.
On April 24, 2005, Firefighter Edward F. Henry of the city of Charleston, SC Fire Department responded to a house fire. Occupants fleeing the building told Henry that people were still inside. Henry entered the house without the protection of a hose team, and battling thick smoke and flames, made his way upstairs where he found a victim lying on the floor. Unable to use the stairs, he broke two windows and lifted the victim out to be rescued by ladder. He then took off his mask and gave it to the victim, who with help from other firefighters, climbed down the 35-foot ladder to safety. After ensuring the victim was safe, Henry checked his air supply and re-entered the house to continue his search for additional victims. Firefighter Henry showed little regard for his safety that day in his dedication to protect and save others.
On April 7, 2005, Battalion Chief Gene F. Large, Jr. of the Fort Walton Beach, FL Fire Department was dispatched to assist in an ocean surf rescue. Three firefighters and a sheriff’s deputy were attempting to rescue a swimmer caught in a rip current among six- to-eight foot waves, which had pulled all five away from shore. Neither the Coast Guard nor the fire rescue craft were able to attempt a rescue in the high waves. Two of the rescuers were losing consciousness from cold and exhaustion. Large swam a rescue board -- a maneuver not usually attempted in such rough seas -- and instructed the five to lock arms while holding on to the board. Large was able to break the rip current’s hold and maneuver the five safely to shore by coordinating their kicking to work with the waves. Large’s quick thinking and exceptional courage, while exposing himself to great risk, saved five people whose lives were at grave risk.
Two IAFC members serve on the Department of Justice Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor Review Board. They are Chief Richard “Smokey” Dyer of the Kansas City (MO) Fire Department and Chief Richard B. Gasaway of the Roseville (MN) Fire Department.
The Medal of Valor, authorized by the Public Safety Medal of Valor Act of 2001, is awarded by the President of the United States to public safety officers cited by the Attorney General. Public safety officers are nominated by the chiefs or directors of their employing agencies and recommended by the Medal of Valor Review Board. Nominations for the 2005-2006 Medal of Valor will be accepted from May 31 - July 31, 2006.
Additional information about the award, the design and image of the Medal of Valor, the board members, and the nomination form can be found on the Office of Justice Programs Web site at www.ojp.usdoj.gov.