Steven Michael Smith Award for Valor
Steven Michael Smith Award for Valor
Sponsored by Daniel Defense

This prestigious award is presented each year to the person who distinguishes themselves through valorous actions during a life-threatening action.

Any person can nominate an individual or group who qualifies for recognition under the below criteria.

A selection committee reviews a situation in which the nominated individual or group clearly acted without regard for his or her own life to save a fellow officer or an innocent victim.

The nomination(s) eligible for review shall be the previous year of the awards banquet. (For example - Banquet in 2023, the situation must occur in 2023 or earlier to be eligible for review)

All nominations must include the following:

  • Full Name.
  • Department / Agency / Organization.
  • Documentation of the event in paragraph
  • A contact person to verify the event, actions, or conduct

2023 OTOA Awards Banquet Wednesday, June 14, 2023
6 pm - 8 pm
Kalahari Resorts & Convention Center, Sandusky, Ohio

Winners of these prestigious OTOA Awards are provided the following

  • Recognition at the OTOA Awards Banquet
  • Lifetime OTOA membership
  • Lifetime Annual Training Conference Registration *see restrictions below
  • OTOA & Sponsor Awards
    *This award is eligible for a maximum of two (2) persons annually 
    *Lodging and meals are NOT covered for the annual conference attendance.
Nominee Information
Please submit a photo of the candidate suitable for publication. In uniform is preferable.
Please provide an agency logo or badge of the candidate's organization in the highest resolution possible.
Event Information
Please let us know where we can find a video of the incident or you can upload one to our WeTransfer account.
Video can be uploaded to the OTOA WeTransfer site.
Your Information (or person submitting nomination)