Acts of valor are a common occurrence in our profession. Every year throughout our correctional facilities officers perform great acts of courage, usually under extreme conditions and without recognition for their efforts and sense of personal safety. All too often, these acts of heroism are overlooked, and unfortunately never given recognition by the general public, the media, their departments, and regrettably their own unions.

In our continuous efforts to keep our corrections professionals at the forefront of the Law Enforcement occupation, we formed the American Correctional Officer Medal Of Honor Award distinguishing those officers who have performed selflessly and without regard for danger to themselves in performing their everyday duties.  The Medal of Honor recipients are:

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The Medal of Honor Correction Officer Elizabeth O’Campo Ironwood State Prison, California        Officer O'Campo (D Facility Utility Officer) entered D Facility Building Three in order to deliver paperwork to the unit floor officers. As she entered she observed Officer J. Rivera engaged in conversation with several Southern Hispanic Inmates, as she neared Officer Rivera's location the Southern Hispanic inmate attacked Officer Rivera with a weapon. As Rivera was falling to the ground Officer O'Campo pulled her baton out and began to strike the attacking inmate. When Officer Rivera went to the ground on the attacking inmate, approximately nine more inmates entered into the attack. Many of the inmates were striking and kicking Officer Rivera about his body and head. Officer O’Campo, while striking the inmates with her baton, came under attack by some of the inmates, She would fended off their attack and returned to defend Officer Rivera.      Officer Stone who was in the office exited and was struck with a trash can on the face and knocked to the ground semiconscious. Officer O’Campo began to help Officer Stone by fending off his attackers with her baton.      Officer O’Campo was fighting off her attackers and when she could she would defend Officer Stone and Rivera. Officer Stone was able to utilize his O.C. Pepper Spray but was unable to accurately spray and he exposed Officer O’Campo to the spray. Officer O’Campo fought through this and continued her response to the inmates attack on staff.      Officer O’Campo was struck repeatedly on the upper torso, face, and head. She sustained hemorrhaging to her brain from the brutal attack. Officer O’Campo was able to identify a majority of the inmates involved. She requested to view the video schematic of the inmates that were on the dayroom floor and was able to identify approximately seven more inmates.      Officer O’Campo was instrumental in helping identify and prosecute these inmates.

Gold Medal of Honor Lt. Patrick Matzen Sgt. Umberto Silva Jr. Sgt. Michael Slankard Officer Steve Cacciola California Correctional Institution, California

Silver Medal of Honor Officer Richard Morales Souza-Baranoski Correctional Center, Massachussetts

Bronze Medal of Honor Correction Officer Chad L. Yarborough Union Correctional Institution, Florida

Meritorious Service Award Officer Jeremy Welch Lansin Correctional Facility, Kansas

Life Savings Award Officer Daniel L. Callahan Nassau County Correction Center, New York