Office of the Arizona Governor Doug Ducey issued the following announcement on Aug. 5.
Governor Doug Ducey issued an executive order creating the Arizona Medal of Valor, an award that will recognize and honor 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.
“Every day Arizona’s law enforcement personnel and first responders take risks and face dangers to protect public safety and keep the peace, and our state is grateful for their bravery in the line of duty,” said Governor Ducey. “Too often we take their sacrifice for granted, and we should all feel inspired to share our appreciation for them daily. The Arizona Medal of Valor is another way to honor them for their courageousness and heroism.”
Specifically, the executive order calls for:
1. The creation of the Arizona Medal of Valor to honor a person (living or deceased) who engaged in an act of extraordinary valor, courageousness or heroism while serving in an official capacity at an Arizona public agency as a peace officer, firefighter, first responder or in a law enforcement capacity, including correctional officers.
2. The governor shall appoint all members of the Arizona Medal of Valor Review Board which shall consist of:
a. A member of the Arizona Governor’s office
b. The Director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety
c. The Director of the Department of Forestry and Fire Management
d. The Chairman of the Arizona Peace Personnel Standards and Training Board
e. An Arizona Police Chief, who shall serve a term of two years
f. An Arizona Fire Chief, from a county in Arizona other than the county represented by the Police Chief member, who shall serve a term of two years
3. Within 30 days of this order, the Department of Public Safety shall:
a. Develop nominating criteria for proposed recipients of the Arizona Medal of Valor.
b. Develop a process and timeline for Arizona Medal of Valor nominations to be submitted to the review board. Nominations shall only be submitted by the Governor, the Director of the nominee’s employing Arizona public agency, or by the Arizona Medal of Valor Review Board.
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Executive Order 2018-07
Creation of the Arizona Medal of Valor to Honor Arizona’s Heroic Public Safety Personnel and First Responders
WHEREAS, Arizona Public Safety Personnel and First Responders put their lives on the line and serve in harm’s way for the safety and well-being of Arizonans, and for peace in our communities;
WHEREAS, Arizona Public Safety Personnel and First Responders take risks and experience dangers unknown to the general public as part of their daily routines;
WHEREAS, Arizona Public Safety Personnel and First Responders serve with honor, integrity and extraordinary courage each day;
WHEREAS, the extraordinary bravery and heroism of Arizona Public Safety Personnel and First Responders is a point of state pride;
WHEREAS, too often in our society we neglect to pay the proper credit to those who risk it all to protect us each and every day.
WHEREAS, the gratitude Arizonans have for Arizona Public Safety Personnel and First Responders is endless;
WHEREAS, Arizona seeks to honor the service and sacrifice of our Public Safety Personnel and First Responders;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Douglas A. Ducey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Arizona do hereby direct the following:
1. The creation of the Arizona Medal of Valor to honor a person (living or deceased) who engaged in an act of extraordinary valor, courageousness or heroism while serving in an official capacity at an Arizona public agency as a peace officer, firefighter, first responder or in a law enforcement capacity, including correctional officers.
2. The governor shall appoint all members of the Arizona Medal of Valor Review Board which shall consist of:
a. A member of the Arizona Governor’s office
b. The Director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety
c. The Director of the Department of Forestry and Fire Management
d. The Chairman of the Arizona Peace Personnel Standards and Training Board
e. An Arizona Police Chief, who shall serve a term of two years
f. An Arizona Fire Chief, from a county in Arizona other than the county represented by the Police Chief member, who shall serve a term of two years
3. Within 30 days of this order, the Department of Public Safety shall:
a. Develop nominating criteria for proposed recipients of the Arizona Medal of Valor.
b. Develop a process and timeline for Arizona Medal of Valor nominations to be submitted to the review board. Nominations shall only be submitted by the Governor, the Director of the nominee’s employing Arizona public agency, or by the Arizona Medal of Valor Review Board.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Arizona.
GOVERNOR
DONE at the Capitol in Phoenix this sixth day of August in the Year Two Thousand and Eighteen and of the Independence of the United States of America the Two Hundred and Forty-Third.
ATTEST:
Secretary of State
Original source can be found here.