2026 Medal of Honor Recipients

In recognition for extraordinary acts of valor and heroism, the Idaho Law Enforcement, Firefighting and EMS Medal of Honor is awarded to law enforcement officers, firefighters and EMTs who have been distinguished by exceptionally meritorious conduct, assuring that the sacrifices of these professionals are recognized and their bravery honored by the state whose citizens they protect.

In 2026, the Idaho Medal of Honor Commission met and selected five law enforcement officers and four firefighters to receive the Medal of Honor. The 2026 recipients are:

Corporal and K-9 handler Francisco Torres
Pocatello Police Department

On July 21, 2025, at approximately 12:39 a.m., Corporal Torres was dispatched to a 911 call at a residence in Pocatello, Idaho, from an 81-year-old female who sounded like she was struggling to breathe. A fire alarm could be heard in the background before the call was disconnected. Read more >>>

 

Sergeant Justin Buck
Pocatello Police Department

On May 9, 2025, a call for service was dispatched regarding a male subject threatening to jump off the Benton Street overpass in Pocatello, Idaho. At approximately 5:32 p.m., Sergeant Buck arrived on scene and observed a male individual standing on the opposite side of the security fence, positioned on a ledge, and contemplating jumping. Read more >>>

Senior Firefighter Travis Adams
Idaho Falls Fire Department

On October 5, 2025, Senior Firefighter Travis Adams and another firefighter, while both off duty, were the first to respond to the scene of a two-vehicle collision in Bingham County in which a vehicle had left the roadway and became partially submerged upsdie down in a canal with four occupants trapped inside. Read more >>>

Senior Firefighter Jeremy Newman
Idaho Falls Fire Department

On October 5, 2025, Senior Firefighter Jeremy Newman and another firefighter, while both off duty, were the first to respond to the scene of a two-vehicle collision in Bingham County in which a vehicle had left the roadway and became partially submerged upside down in a canal with four occupants trapped inside. Read more >>>

Fire Captain Ernst Fritz Wiedenhoff
Northern Lakes Fire Protection District

On June 29, 2025, at approximately 1:21 p.m., multiple fire organizations responded to a reported wildfire on Canfield Mountain near the Nettleton Gulch trailhead in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Kootenai County dispatch received the initial fire report from a citizen. Northern Lakes Fire Protection District units were dispatched alongside the previous responding agencies, to provide additional assistance for fire suppression activities. Read more >>>

Engineer David Tysdal
Coeur d’Alene Fire Department

On June 29, 2025, at approximately 1:21 p.m., multiple fire organizations responded to a reported wildfire on Canfield Mountain near the Nettleton Gulch trailhead in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Units from the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department and the Kootenai County Fire and Rescue responded immediately. Read more >>>

Deputy Harvey Ballman
Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office

On June 29, 2025, at approximately 1:24 p.m., a wildland fire was reported on Canfield Mountain, near Nettleton Gulch trailhead. Dispatch reported that there was an active shooter at the upper parking lot. As the information progressed, responding units were advised that several firefighters were injured and not responding. Read more >>>

Deputy Arek Brock
Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office

On June 29, 2025, at approximately 1:24 p.m., a wildland fire was reported on Canfield Mountain, near Nettleton Gulch trailhead. Dispatch reported that there was an active shooter at the upper parking lot. As the information progressed, responding units were advised that several firefighters were injured and not responding. Read more >>>

Deputy Joshua Wesley Orr
Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office

On June 29, 2025, at approximately 1:24 p.m., a wildland fire was reported on Canfield Mountain, near Nettleton Gulch trailhead. Dispatch reported that there was an active shooter at the upper parking lot. As the information progressed responding units were advised that several firefighters were injured and not responding. Read more >>>