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

This prestigious award is presented annually to individuals who have distinguished themselves through courageous actions in life-threatening situations.

Anyone can nominate an individual that meets the criteria outlined below for recognition.

A selection committee reviews situations where the nominated individual acted without regard for their own life to save a fellow officer or an innocent victim.

Nominations eligible for review must be from the previous year of the awards banquet. For example, the situation must have occurred 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 a paragraph.
  • A contact person to verify the event, actions, or conduct.

2024 OTOA Awards Banquet Wednesday, June 12, 2024, 6 pm - 8 pm Kalahari Resorts & Convention Center, Sandusky, Ohio

The winner of these prestigious OTOA Awards receives the following:

  • Recognition at the OTOA Awards Banquet.
  • Lodging will be provided for the award winner for the night of the awards banquet.
  • VIP table placement for the winner and *one (1) guest at the OTOA Awards Banquet.
    Contact the OTOA Awards Director regarding additional guests.
*This award is eligible for a maximum of one (1) person annually.
*Lodging and meals are NOT covered for the annual training conference registration.
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)