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Tag: NYPD

The New York City Police Department Combat Cross

The New York City Police Department Combat Cross is the second highest departmental award of the NYPD and awarded for heroism.

The New York City Police Department Combat Cross is the second highest departmental award of the NYPD. It was established in 14 Augusta, 1934, and awarded to police officers who, “having received Honorable Mention awards, successfully and intelligently perform an act of extraordinary heroism while engaged in personal combat with an armed adversary under circumstances of imminent personal hazard to life”.

The Police Combat Cross was first awarded July 19, 1934, to six members of the police department for heroic service in the previous year. More than two hundred members of the New York Police Department have been awarded the Police Combat Cross.

The New York City Police Department Combat Cross Design

The medal is a gold Maltese Cross with the seal of New York City set in the center obverse and surrounded by the inscription, “For Valor, Police“. The name of the holder and the year of awarding are engraved on the reverse.

The cross is suspended by a ring from green silk ribbon. If the Combat Cross is awarded a second time, a gold palm leaf is set in the center of the ribbon.

More New York City Police Department Medals

NYPD medals are awards presented by the New York City Police Department to recognize and honor the bravery, service, and exceptional achievements of its officers. These medals serve as symbols of honor and pride within the NYPD, highlighting the commitment and sacrifice of its members in safeguarding the communities they serve. 

See all NYPD Medals and Awards >

The New York City Police Department Medal of Valor

The New York City Police Department Medal of Valor is the department’s third highest medal, conferred for acts of outstanding bravery.

The New York City Police Department Medal of Valor is the department’s third highest medal, conferred for acts of outstanding personal bravery intelligently performed in the line of duty at imminent personal hazard to life under circumstances evincing a disregard of personal consequences.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg and NYPD Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly awarded the first 13 Medals for Valor at the 2006 Medal Day Ceremony in New York.

The NYPD Medal of Valor Design

The obverse of the medal bears the image of the Police Memorial Statue, representing the years of selfless service that New York City police officers have given to its citizens. Surrounding the center is a Mediterranean evergreen laurel leaves, representing honor and glory dating back to ancient Rome. The outer background and ribbon are police blue. The words “For Valor, Police Department City of New York” are written on the face of the medal in gold lettering. The two gold stars signify the level of importance associated with this recognition. The reverse bears the inscription of the recipient’s name.

The breast bar is a solid blue bar.

More New York City Police Department Medals

NYPD medals are awards presented by the New York City Police Department to recognize and honor the bravery, service, and exceptional achievements of its officers. These medals serve as symbols of honor and pride within the NYPD, highlighting the commitment and sacrifice of its members in safeguarding the communities they serve. 

See all NYPD Medals and Awards >

The New York City Police Department Medal of Honor

The New York City Police Department Medal of Honor is the highest law enforcement medal of the NYPD and awarded for extraordinary bravery.

The New York City Police Department Medal of Honor is the highest law enforcement medal of the NYCPD and awarded for individual acts of extraordinary bravery performed in the line of duty at extreme risk and danger to life.

The NYPD Medal of Honor was created on October 23, 1973, although there are some earlier versions from as early as 1871. Back then, the decoration was known by a variety of names such as the “Police Silver Medal” and “Gold Medal of Valor“. These were first awarded on August 17, 1871 to Patrolman Bernard Tull of the 19th Precinct who arrested a burglar after being shot at. 

The New York City Police Department Medal of Honor was created in 1912 and was awarded until 1972, when it was redesigned.

The NYPD Medal of Honor Design

The initial medals were silver or gold and had the shape of the then shield of the department. On the obverse were the arms of the City of New York, the names of the police commissioners, and the words “Municipal Police”. On the reverse was an inscription describing the act for which the medal was awarded.

Later, the NYPD medal was changed to a silver medal in the shape of a police shield. On the obverse is the figure of a draped female placing a wreath upon the head of a police officer. On the reverse is an inscription of the act of bravery and the names of the city’s commissioners.

The medal hangs from a ring and suspender on which the letters “NY” are interlocked and attached to a top bar that is inscribed with the word “valor”.

The stars on the green ribbon commemorate the city’s original 12 police constables, who began to patrol in the 1700s.

More New York City Police Department Medals

NYPD medals are awards presented by the New York City Police Department to recognize and honor the bravery, service, and exceptional achievements of its officers. These medals serve as symbols of honor and pride within the NYPD, highlighting the commitment and sacrifice of its members in safeguarding the communities they serve. 

See all NYPD Medals and Awards >