May 7, 2009 – (Boise) – Eight Idaho peace officers and two Idaho firefighters will be honored tomorrow for extraordinary heroism above and beyond the call of duty as recipients of the Idaho Medal of Honor. Two firefighters from the Oakley Volunteer Fire Department will receive the Medal for their heroism in rescuing a woman from a burning vehicle earlier this year. Two Boise police officers will be honored for their heroism in evacuating residents of the Oregon Trail Heights subdivision during a wildfire in 2008, and six Boise police officers will be honored for their valor in a 1997 fatal shootout in Boise.

The Idaho Medal of Honor Commission announced today that the State of Idaho’s highest honor for law enforcement officers, firefighters and EMTs will be awarded to:

“The courage and selfless commitment to the service of others demonstrated by these officers reflects the values that the legislature intended to recognize when it created the medal,” Idaho Medal of Honor Commission Chairman William von Tagen said. “Their deeds are a credit to law enforcement and an inspiration for other officers and to all Idahoans.”

The Medals of Honor will be presented during ceremonies at the Idaho Peace Officers Memorial in Meridian at 10:00 AM Friday, May 8.

BACKGROUND

Firefighters Korom and Roundy will receive the Medal of Honor for their heroism on January 18, 2009, in rescuing Tenessa Papp from a burning pickup truck, which was pinned under a large, liquid-filled tank truck.

Officers Davis and Rose will receive the Medal of Honor for their courage and disregard for their own safety as they attempted to evacuate homes in the Oregon Trail Heights subdivision during the devastating August 5, 2008, wildfire.

Detective Berrier, Lieutenant Hagler, Officer Stall, Officer Van Doren, Corporal Wiggins and Lieutenant Winegar will receive the Medal of Honor for their courage in the face of extreme danger and their profound concern for their fellow officers during a September 20, 1997, shootout following a traffic stop in downtown Boise. Officer Stall lost his life in the shootout and will receive the Medal posthumously.

The Idaho Legislature established the Medal of Honor to assure that the sacrifices of law enforcement officers, firefighters and EMTs are recognized and their bravery honored by the state whose citizens they protect.

Additional information about the 2009 recipients and previous recipients is available on the Medal of Honor Commission website.

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