Virgil McDaniel Award

The Virgil McDaniel Award is a statewide recognition of a FOP Member who has demonstrated exceptional valor and/or service to the citizens of State of Ohio by the Fraternal Order of Police Associates of Ohio. This award was named in Honor of Ohio FOP Past‐President Virgil McDaniel who served to the FOP as President of the Ohio FOP and the City of Dayton, Ohio Police Department as Lt. Colonel. Brother McDaniel’s exemplary leadership, integrity, and dedication, and outstanding work ethic that he has shown during his career helped him earn the respect from his fellow Officers as he climbed the ranks in his department and the FOP. Brother McDaniel is a shining example of what this award embodies. Members from the FOP and the FOPA can nominate their Brothers and Sisters in who they know go above and beyond the call of duty. It can also be a single incident or multiple acts that the officer demonstrates. As all of us know a career in Law Enforcement is not a 9 to 5 job. Anything he or she does outside of their daily job will be considered for this award. If you feel that your fellow Brother or Sister deserves to be recognized please read the following guidelines and fill out the nomination form in full and mail.

Eligibility

Criteria for Eligibility:

A nominee must be an FOP member in the State of Ohio, regardless of rank or position, and who is a member in good standing with their local FOP Lodge and The Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio. A posthumous award may be made in the name of a police officer to the surviving spouse, child or parents of such officer.

Performance:

Performance above and beyond that which is normally expected in the course of daily employment.

Outstanding service:

Significant contribution to the law enforcement profession. They have gone the extra mile while performing those duties and have gained professional achievement.

Service to the Community:

Service to the Community is a very special thing! One does not give service to their community because they are required or forced to do so. They do it because they have a calling. Some may volunteer at a foodbank or soup kitchen to feed the hungry. Service is performed by someone for the benefit of the public or its institutions. Performing community service is not the same as Service to the Community, since it is not always performed on a voluntary basis. For example, a crime prevention Officer cannot be nominated for being McGruff at National Night Out because that is within the normal scope of his position, but if this same officer went on his own time to a children’s hospital and visited the sick children as McGruff then he is in Service to his Community. The Nominee must be in Service to the Community on a Volunteer Basis.

Act(s) of Exceptional Valor:

An act or acts of exceptional valor shall mean that a police officer has, by a conspicuous act or acts, clearly distinguished him/hers self by bravery, heroism or outstanding courage, and has placed the safety and welfare of the people of the State of Ohio above all other considerations. The nominee may have received a Medal of Valor from their department can still qualify for this award.

Other notable achievements:

Anything the nominee may have been honored or recognized for previously.

Documentation

The following documentation is encouraged (but not required) to be submitted by the nominating brother or sister for award consideration.

• A letter of recommendation from the chief executive officer of the department or the municipality and/or the nominee’s immediate supervisor which includes a brief overview of the incident.
• Copies of any official report(s)*, statements, photographs, maps, etc.; and If available, related media reports such newspaper clippings or links to news stories can be attached and/or submitted to the committee.

The Selection Committee recognizes that confidentiality considerations may preclude the submission of some official reports and related material

Selection Process

• The award recipient will be chosen by the Award Selection Committee after a full review of nominations.
• Committee Makeup: The Award Selection Committee will be appointed by the FOPA State President.
• The Selection Committee is authorized to make a full and complete investigation of facts in substantiation of nominations. The prompt submission of nominations will permit this to be done more effectively.