Missouri seeks nominations for 2025 Public Safety Awards honoring heroic responders

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., (KBSI) — Missouri public safety agencies have until Feb. 28 to submit nominations for the state’s highest awards recognizing first responders who took heroic actions beyond the call of duty in 2025, the Missouri Department of Public Safety announced.

The department is accepting nominations for the Red, White and Blue Heart Award, the Missouri Medal of Valor and the Governor’s Medal. Missouri public safety agencies may also nominate civilians for the Public Safety Civilian Partnership Award.

Nominations for actions performed in 2025 must be submitted by the leader of the nominee’s public safety agency by Feb. 28, 2026. The awards will be presented during a statewide ceremony in Jefferson City in late 2026.

Nomination forms and eligibility requirements are available at Department of Public Safety – Missouri Public Safety Medals. A separate nomination form is required for each award.

For the purposes of the awards, a public safety officer is defined as a person serving a public agency, with or without compensation, as a firefighter, law enforcement officer, paramedic, EMT, emergency responder or emergency management personnel. Law enforcement officers include state and local corrections and court officers.

The Red, White and Blue Heart Award honors Missouri peace officers, firefighters, paramedics, EMTs and other first responders who are critically, seriously or fatally injured under honorable circumstances while performing official duties. The award recognizes injuries that result in permanent impairment, require long-term medical treatment or cause significant time away from duty. In cases involving fatalities, the award is presented to a family member.

The Missouri Medal of Valor, the state’s highest public safety award, recognizes exceptional courage and decisive action by first responders who risk their own safety in an effort to save a life. Eligible recipients include law enforcement, fire and emergency medical personnel, as well as corrections, court and emergency management officers.

The Governor’s Medal honors extraordinary actions by an organized or ad hoc team of first responders who demonstrate bravery beyond normal duty during a critical incident in which teamwork was essential to a successful outcome.

The Public Safety Civilian Partnership Award recognizes civilians who provide courageous or valuable assistance to first responders during emergencies, or who train public safety officers in life-saving techniques later used to save lives.