Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt Invites Local Governments to Submit Nominations for 2026 Medal of Valor Award

Today, Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt announced the opening of submissions for the 2026 Medal of Valor award.

Awarded by the Lieutenant Governor, the Medal of Valor award is a meaningful way for local governments to honor first responders who have performed great acts of heroism beyond the call of duty. The award is presented annually as designated by statute. Mayors and local governments are encouraged to submit nominations based on recommendations from leaders of their local first responder units. A "first responder" includes any firefighter, paramedic, law enforcement officer, emergency medical services personnel, or rescue squad member.

"Every day across North Carolina, brave first responders put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe. They answer the call without hesitation, no matter the hour, no matter the danger," said Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt. "With the Medal of Valor, we honor their courage and recognize their sacrifices."

How to Nominate

Submissions may be sent to [email protected]and must be received by September 15th. Nominations from colleagues and community members are strongly encouraged. Self-nominations will not be eligible for consideration.

Each nomination must include:

• Biography: Details of the nominee, including years of service in North Carolina, and any great acts of heroism performed while under threat of personal risk to safety, beyond the call of duty in the field. Please also include contact info for the nominee.
• Letters of Recommendation: From anyone who can speak to the nominee's service, work ethic, character, leadership, community involvement, or volunteerism - including congressional leaders, former teachers, coworkers, community or religious leaders, mentors, students, or friends. Recommendations should not be completed by immediate family members.

Recognition Ceremony

A ceremony will be held in November to honor the recipients once they have been selected.

For any questions or additional information about the Medal of Valor or the submission process, please reach out to Toby Neal at [email protected].

For more information about the Medal of Valor, click here.