Honoring Extraordinary Courage
The NAAWS Medal of Valor recognizes individuals working in correctional facilities who, while on duty, demonstrate extraordinary courage or bravery in the face of significant personal risk, particularly through actions taken to protect or save the life of another person.
Employees and contractors are eligible. NAAWS membership is not required. Individual and team nominations are accepted.
Nomination Deadline: December 11, 2026
Who Is Eligible?
Any employee or contractor who was on duty and working in a correctional facility at the time of the qualifying incident may be nominated. Neither the nominee nor the nominator is required to be a NAAWS member. Posthumous nominations are also eligible.
What Qualifies for the Medal of Valor?
The Medal of Valor is reserved for extraordinary acts of courage or bravery involving significant personal risk. Particular consideration is given to actions in which an individual knowingly places their own well-being at risk to protect or save the life of another person. The conduct should clearly exceed what would ordinarily be expected in the performance of the nominee's duties.
Individual & Team Nominations
A nomination may recognize one individual or multiple individuals whose actions were part of the same qualifying incident. Each nominee should have made a meaningful contribution to the actions described in the nomination.
Eligible Incident Period
For the 2027 Medal of Valor, the qualifying incident must have occurred between October 11, 2025 and December 11, 2026.
Nomination & Approval
Nominations must be submitted or endorsed by the Warden, Superintendent, Officer in Charge, or other person responsible for the facility at the time of the incident and must receive the support of the ranking official of the agency.
Selection & Recognition
Nominations are reviewed by NAAWS officials during the Winter ACA Conference. There is no predetermined limit on the number of recipients; individuals and teams whose actions meet the Medal of Valor standard may be selected. Recipients receive the NAAWS Medal of Valor and commemorative recognition at the annual NAAWS Training Conference.