Law Enforcement
Personnel serving in municipal, county, state, or federal units responsible for enforcing laws within their areas of responsibility. Private security personnel are not included.
Service deserves recognition
Honoring those who protect, serve, and save lives
Each year, the Veterans of Foreign Wars recognizes outstanding public servants for their dedication, professional excellence, and commitment to the communities they serve.
A strong nomination demonstrates more than a single successful incident. It provides reviewers with a clear picture of sustained professional performance, recognition by colleagues or the community, dedication to official responsibilities, and growth in responsibility and professional skill.
Individuals or eligible groups may be considered according to the requirements of the applicable Public Servant Award category.
Recognition categories
Five ways to recognize public service
Select the category that most closely reflects the nominee's primary public-safety responsibilities.
Firefighter
Career or volunteer personnel who actively fight fires and provide organized emergency assistance to the public.
Emergency Medical Technician
Personnel providing emergency medical treatment, rescue services, or civil-disaster assistance through public or volunteer organizations.
911 Dispatcher
Public-safety communications personnel who obtain critical information from callers and coordinate the appropriate emergency response.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician
Personnel in municipal, county, state, or federal units whose specialized duties include responding to and safely handling explosive threats.
Nomination criteria
What should a nomination demonstrate?
VFW guidance emphasizes sustained performance, professional dedication, and recognition earned through service.
Recognition
Recognition by colleagues, partner organizations, community members, or those the nominee serves.
Consistent excellence
A demonstrated record of dependable and high-quality performance in official duties.
Dedication over time
Consistent dedication to official responsibilities and continued service to the public.
Professional growth
Continued development of responsibilities, skills, leadership, or professional expertise.
Prepare the nomination packet
Information and documentation to provide
Review the current official instructions before submitting a nomination.
Post Entry Form
Complete the applicable VFW Public Servant Award Citation Post Entry Form using the current instructions provided by the VFW.
Nomination letter
Include the nominee's or group's name, title, contact information, and the Public Servant Award category for which the nomination is being made.
Justification
Describe the nominee's professional background, accomplishments, awards, service record, and the reasons the nominee should receive recognition.
Protect sensitive information.
Do not include protected case details, medical information, victim information, tactical procedures, security-sensitive information, Social Security numbers, or other unnecessary personally identifiable information.
Submit to VFW Post 7824
How to nominate a public servant
- Review the award categories and eligibility.
Select the category that best represents the nominee's official public-safety duties.
- Review the current official VFW instructions.
Use the Department of Washington and VFW National resources below to verify current requirements before preparing the packet.
- Complete the official entry materials.
Prepare the Post Entry Form, nomination letter, and required justification.
- Send the packet to VFW Post 7824.
Email the completed nomination packet and supporting documents to web@vfw7824.org . The message will be directed to the appropriate Post personnel.
Entry-form note: The Department-hosted Post Entry Form currently
displays EMT, Firefighter, and Law Enforcement on
the form. Because the current program also includes
911 Dispatcher and Explosive Ordnance Disposal
Technician, contact Post 7824 before submitting one
of those categories so the current instructions can
be confirmed.
Official resources
Forms and program guidance
Use these official VFW and Department of Washington resources to confirm current requirements and deadlines.
Department of Washington Public Servant Awards
Award information, criteria, documentation, and
Department instructions ↗
Public Servant Award Post Entry Form
Department-hosted PDF entry form ↗
2026–2027 Washington All-State Program
Current Washington program requirements and
deadlines ↗
VFW Safety & Recognition Guide
National Public Servant Award definitions and
documentation guidance ↗
