2025 Public Safety Valor Awards

The Public Safety Valor Awards honors community first responders for service and acts of heroism. Featuring over 50 award recipients across eight categories, the event allowed some light to be shed over some of the heroic and life changing actions taken everyday by local heroes.

The Greater Fayetteville Chamber is pleased to announce the 2025 Annual Public Safety Valor Awards on September 9, 2025. This event is to show community appreciation to our first responders in the City of Fayetteville, Cumberland County and at Fort Liberty.

These awardees are nominated by their Chief or agency head from a range of law enforcement, fire/rescue, and emergency management agencies that serve Cumberland County for the awards found below. Incidents should have occurred within Cumberland County in the past year, or have involved first responders representing a local public safety agency.
 

If a first responder has gone above and beyond for you or your family, nominate him/her for the "People's Choice" award by emailing your story to events@faybiz.com.
 

Awards

Unit Citation

Recognizes the combined efforts of a unit as they serve our community.

 Recognizes a citizen for aiding first responders and community members.
 

Award of Merit
Recognizes outstanding public safety work, demonstrating initiative, ingenuity, and/or diligence in performing their duties.

Life Saving Award

Awarded in recognition of official acts taken in a life-threatening situation where an individual's life is in jeopardy, medically or physically.

Valor Award
The highest award for valor and heroism. Awarded in cases in which a public safety official knowingly places themselves at risk of death or extreme serious bodily harm in performing an official act.

Hall of Fame
Honors exceptional leaders in Cumberland County in the field of pubic safety who have made significant contributions to their profession. 
(Typically only 1 honoree per year will receive this award)

Freddy L. Johnson, Sr. Leadership Award
Recognizes an individual that has reached the pinnacle of community leadership and service.
(Typically only 1 honoree per year will receive this award)