Description

Please Note: To purchase the Honorable Mention Medal you must be a NYPD H.L. member in good standing and provide proof of award. Members can contact the NYPD Department Recognition Unit at (646) 610-6860 to obtain proof.

Police Department, Department Medal

If you were previously awarded the Honorable Mention, you are eligible to purchase the medal.

The records of the Department from 1871 to 1883 show reference to various medals, which are mentioned as those of “A Medal,” “A Silver Medial,” “A Medal of Honor,” etc. September 22, 1883, “The Medal of Honor of the Department” was awarded to Captain John Saunders, 23d Precinct. Following this there is mention of several similar awards. On April 20, 1888, the Board of Police Commissioners ordered the purchase of a die from which bronze medals were to be cast, for award in cases of Honorable Mention. This is the bronze medal in use at present. On May 18, 1888, the Board directed a distribution of these medals to all members of the Department who, up to that time, had received Honorable Mention. After this distribution the first definite award of the medal was made January 15, 1889. Since then the medal has been awarded specifically each year to the member of the force who was considered to have performed the highest act of heroism in the performance of his duty.

The new medal is very striking in design and attractive in appearance. It is a cross of the Legion of Honor shape, instead of a Maltese cross as first chosen. A circle in the centre, surrounded by the motto ‘Faithful unto Death- Police Department, N.Y.,’ has a policeman in full uniform, with a club at parade rest. An eagle with its talons resting on two clubs will be surmounted by a red, white and blue ribbon, held by a silver pin with the Words ‘Honorable Mention.’ The medals are made of light-colored bronze and silver. The medals actually bore a red colored ribbon.