2006: Trooper Kelly A. Kalmbach, Washington State Patrol
On the evening of June 28, 2006, Trooper Kalmbach made a traffic stop on a possible impaired driving suspect. After administering the Standardized Field Sobriety tests, Trooper Kalmbach determined that the suspect was, in fact, impaired and attempted to place him under arrest. As she attempted to take the suspect into custody, a struggle ensued, and the suspect broke free and ran back to his vehicle. There he retrieved a pistol and began firing at Trooper Kalmbach, striking her a total of five times. Trooper Kalmbach returned fire, wounding the suspect. The suspect returned to his vehicle and fled the scene. The suspect was later stopped by local officers, and was mortally wounded when he produced a weapon.

2005: Sergeant Kirk Van Orsdel, California Highway Patrol
On the morning of July 21, 2005, Sergeant Kirk Van Orsdel was on patrol on I-10 in Riverside County, East of Los Angeles, when he received a report of a gray Lincoln sedan pursuing a black Toyota and shots being fired. Shortly thereafter, Van Orsdel saw the two vehicles exiting the freeway at his location. In the following minutes, Van Orsdel engaged the suspect, Gustavo Sanchez, in three pursuits and four separate exchanges of gunfire. In addition, the suspect, armed with a fully automatic AK-47 assault rifle, also tried to execute his female victim, who was able to escape into a convenience store to avoid certain death. Finally, while suffering wounds from bullets fired into his vehicle and broken glass, Van Orsdel was able to wound the suspect and take him into custody. Sergeant Van Orsdel’s actions resulted in the saving of one life and possibly many others, as well as taking a wanted felon off the streets.

2004: Trooper First Class Darren G. Wilson, South Carolina Highway Patrol
On December 27, 2003, TFC Wilson was on patrol in rural South Carolina. At approximately 8:50 pm, he received a radio broadcast from his supervisor, Sgt. James Sinkler, urgently requesting assistance. TFC Wilson immediately responded. On arriving, he observed a suspect with a handgun standing next to the sergeant’s vehicle. Sgt. Sinkler, who had received gunshot wounds to the chest and left hand, had taken a defensive position several yards away. Wilson drew his service weapon, and ordered the subject to drop his gun. The subject pointed his weapon at TFC Wilson, at which time Wilson fired several times, striking the subject in the upper body. Wilson then rendered aid to Sgt. Sinkler and the suspect until additional officers and EMS personnel arrived.

2003: Investigator Alan Eberle, Nebraska State Patrol
On February 24, 2003, Nebraska State Patrol officers in Omaha arrested two suspects transporting five kilos of cocaine to Saginaw, MI. The next day, Investigator Eberle flew to Saginaw to execute a controlled delivery of the cocaine, in cooperation with Michigan State Police and federal agents, resulting in a third arrest. Following the arrest, Investigator Eberle and two agents from the DEA and the Michigan drug task force performed a search of the suspect's home. Upon entering the house, 3 suspects ambushed the officers, severely wounding the DEA and Michigan officers. Investigator Eberle returned fire, fatally wounding two of the suspects, while dragging the wounded officers to safety. Both officers survived their wounds.
Investigator Eberle's quick thinking and calm actions under fire not only stopped three dangerous felons, but likely saved the lives of two fellow officers.

2002: Lieutenant Carl M. Harrison, Jr., Pennsylvania State Police
On October 24, 2001, Lt. Harrison was traveling on Interstate 81 when he came upon the scene of a traffic crash that had just occurred. On his arrival, a minivan was on fire and resting atop a barrier wall. Lt. Harrison ran to the van and gained access by climbing on top of the barrier wall and breaking a rear window. Lt. Harrison fought flames and smoke to locate and free three women and three children from the burning van. Lt. Harrison then learned that there was one person still inside the van. He again entered the van and located the unconscious woman, who was pinned behind the driver's seat. Lt. Harrison worked by feel in the thick smoke to free the seventh victim and carry her to safety. Within seconds after freeing the woman, the van exploded in flames. Lt. Harrison's actions, at great risk to himself, saved seven lives.