Sullivan Brothers' Awards & Governor's Lifesaving Awards

About the Sullivan Brothers' Award of Valor

The Sullivan Brothers' Award of Valor recognizes peace officers, firefighters, or first responders who, while serving in an official capacity, distinguished themselves by the performance of an heroic act in excess of normal demands of police or fire service where the person was fully aware of the threat to his/her personal safety. The award was established in 1977 and later renamed the Sullivan Brothers' Award of Valor to recognize the heroic efforts of first responders. 

The origin of the Sullivan Brothers' Award of Valor lies with five brothers from Waterloo, Iowa, who enlisted and served together as sailors in the Navy during World War II. George, Frank, Joe, Matt, and Albert Sullivan – all in their 20s – served together on the USS Juneau in the Guadalcanal naval battle in the fall of 1942. All five brothers tragically died when two Japanese torpedoes struck their ship.

Recipients of this award are selected by a committee within the first responder community. These committee members devote valuable time and effort to review each and every nomination. This award is truly an honor, and the nominees must meet strict guidelines. Peace officers and firefighters often go above and beyond what we expect from other citizens, but these awards of valor are designed to recognize those who go beyond the “usual.” 

About the Governor's Lifesaving Awards

The Governor’s Lifesaving Awards Program was established in 1977 to recognize everyday Iowans who have performed a courageous act in an attempt to save someone's life or to those who have unselfishly assisted in an emergency situation.

There are four types of awards within the Governor's Lifesaving Awards Program:

• Lifesaving with Valor - Awarded to individuals who, at the risk of their own life, attempted to save the life of another individual.
• Lifesaving - Awarded to individuals who have attempted to save the life of another individual, but did not put their own life in jeopardy during the rescue.
• Meritorious - Awarded to individuals in recognition of courageous and unselfish service rendered during a time of distress.
• Outstanding Service - Presented to individuals who have performed a courageous act in an attempt to save an individual who was in danger of losing his or her life or to individuals who selflessly rendered service in a time of emergency.

Recipients

View narratives and photos of the most recent award recipients. 

Award Recipients

Nominate an Individual for a Sullivan Brothers' Award

Eligibility

Each commendation for the Award of Valor is based on the following criteria:

• The situation was extremely hazardous
• A strong possibility existed at the time the officer/firefighter acted that could have resulted in serious injury or death
• The act was not foolhardy
• The officer/firefighter did not use poor judgment, thus creating the necessity for heroic acts

Submitting Nominations

Nominations may be submitted by a supervisory officer/firefighter who believes that the action of a subordinate may warrant receipt of the Sullivan Brothers' Award of Valor. 

They shall submit a recommendation to the highest ranking authority of the agency involved in the form of written communication. The communication shall contain a statement of the action, statements of witnesses (if practical), and any other information which would assist in an evaluation of the action.

The officer/firefighter to whom the recommendation is submitted shall cause an investigation of the nomination. The investigation should include but is not be limited to:

• A detailed statement of the act performed, including the nominee's full name, current residence (address), date of birth, and the nominee's title held at the time of the heroic actions
• Date and place where the act was performed
• Copies of any news accounts of the incident
• Statements from any available witnesses

The report shall contain a recommendation to the Committee from the highest ranking authority and shall be submitted by June 30 of each year for the preceding fiscal year for consideration by the Commendation Committee. 

All nominations should be submitted to Sergeant Alex Dinkla, the Iowa State Patrol Public Information Officer: dinkla@dps.state.ia.us.  

Commendation Committee

All recommendations that may warrant the awarding of a Sullivan Brothers' Award of Valor shall be forwarded to the Commendation Committee by the appropriate ranking officer/firefighter or civil authority of the agency involved.
 
The Commendation Committee shall review the criteria, the nomination, and all supporting documents. Any such recommendations to the Governor for the issuance of an Award of Valor shall be based upon a simple majority vote of those Committee members present and voting. However, no such vote shall be taken unless there are at least six members present and voting.

The Committee shall be comprised of the following:

• A representative designated by the Iowa Fire Chief’s Association
• A representative designated by the Iowa State Sheriffs’ & Deputies’ Association Board of Directors
• A representative designated by the Iowa State Police Association Board of Directors
• A representative designated by the Iowa Police Chiefs Association Board of Directors
• The Executive Director of the American Red Cross, Iowa Chapter
• A representative designated by the Iowa Firefighter’s Association
• A representative designated by the Iowa Professional Firefighters’ Association
• Iowa DPS Strategic Communications Bureau Chief and/or their designee

An appropriate plaque, medallion, plus uniform and lapel pins will be awarded to the recipient, or if posthumously, to a member of his/her family by the Governor or a Governor's representative during a formal ceremony.

Presentation

Additional details regarding the formal ceremony will be provided to award recipients once they are available. Awards may be presented by the Governor or a Governor's representative or mailed as circumstances permit.

While it is the intent of these procedures for recommendations to channel through the organizational structure, nothing herein shall preclude civil authorities from recommending, investigating, and submitting nominations to the Sullivan Brothers' Commendation Committee in accordance with the procedures outlined.

Note: Honorees of this award could subsequently be nominated for the Congressional Badge of Bravery, which was established by Congress in 2008 to honor exceptional acts of bravery by federal, state, and local law enforcement officers. The medals are awarded annually by the U.S. Attorney General and are presented by the recipients' Congressional representatives.

For more information regarding the Congressional Badge of Bravery please visit: https://badgeofbravery.ncjrs.gov/

Nominate an Individual for a Lifesaving Award

Eligibility

Governor's Lifesaving Award incidents must have occurred in Iowa between January 1 of the previous year and June 15 of the current year. However, other incidents not occurring within this time period may be eligible for an Outstanding Service Award. The deadline for submitting nominations is June 15.

Nominees should not be professionally trained in lifesaving techniques. Examples: firefighters, law enforcement officers, doctors, nurses, lifeguards, water safety directors, or first aid instructors (unless they are retired from those positions). 

An individual is not eligible for a Lifesaving Award if the life saved is that of his/her immediate family, as well as parents, grandparents, and children, but they may be eligible for the Governor’s Outstanding Service Award.

Submitting Nominations

Nominations may be made by any person and must be made in writing. Nominations should include:

• Detailed description of the deed or act performed
• Name, address, and age of the nominee
• Name, address, and age of the individual whose life was saved
• Date and place where act was performed with the names and addresses of witnesses
• A copy of a newspaper account of the incident if applicable

All nominations must be submitted using the the form provided on this website:

Governor's Lifesaving Award Official Nomination Form

Nominate an Individual for an Outstanding Service Award

Eligibility

Governor's Outstanding Service Award incidents must have occurred in Iowa within a five year period prior to receipt of the nomination. The deadline for submitting nominations is June 15.

A nominee must be a resident or non-resident of Iowa who saves the life or performed outstanding service to one or a group of residents or individuals in Iowa  – OR – someone who rendered lifesaving acts to an immediate family member.

Nominee(s) should not be professionally trained in lifesaving techniques. Examples include: firemen, law enforcement officers, doctors, nurses, lifeguards, water safety instructors, and first aid instructors (unless they are retired from those positions). 

Submitting Nominations

Nominations may be made by any person and must be made in writing. Nominations should include:

• Detailed description of the deed or act performed
• Name, address, and age of the nominee
• Name, address, and age of the individual whose life was saved
• Date and place where act was performed with the names and addresses of witnesses
• A copy of a newspaper account of the incident if applicable

All nominations must be submitted using the the form provided on this website:

Governor's Lifesaving Award Official Nomination Form

Investigation

A thorough investigation and report will be made by members of the Iowa State Patrol, a division of the Iowa Department of Public Safety, as a representative of the Governor. Reports of the investigation will be presented to a committee for evaluation. The nominator(s) will be notified of the final decision, regardless of the outcome. An invitation to the awards ceremony will be extended to those nominees chosen as award recipients, the person(s) saved, the investigating officer, and the nominee’s senator and representative.

Presentation

Additional details regarding the formal ceremony will be provided to award recipients once they are available. Awards may be presented by the Governor or a Governor's representative or mailed as circumstances permit.