On Friday, Might 13, 2016, Division of Homeland Safety Secretary Jeh Johnson offered the 2016 Division of Homeland Safety Secretary’s Award for Valor to 13 excellent people, together with 4 ICE workers, who displayed distinctive valor whereas serving the Division, or whereas off-duty performing solely as a involved citizen keen to assist these in want.
“On a routine foundation, I’ve been constantly impressed with the repeated acts of valor dedicated by our DHS individuals, throughout our elements, whether or not on or off obligation,” mentioned Secretary of Homeland Safety Jeh C. Johnson. “I need everybody who’s receiving this award, which is the best award I may give for an act of valor, to understand how proud all of us are of you for a way you signify us within the Division of Homeland Safety.”
Joined by Deputy Secretary of Homeland Safety Alejandro Mayorkas and DHS senior management, Secretary Johnson acknowledged 4 ICE workers among the many 13 being honored for his or her braveness and selfless actions that protected people from hurt, saved one other’s life, or safeguarded infrastructure in help of nationwide safety.
On January 10, 2016, whereas off obligation, Assistant Subject Workplace Director George Sullivan from Burlington, Mass., Technical Enforcement Officer William Adamson of Boston, Mass., and Particular Agent Brendan Lundt from New Haven, Conn., have been woke up by smoke of their resort rooms and shortly found a construction fireplace. After evacuating their family members, the three raced to assist different visitors. Mr. Sullivan climbed up three flooring, utilizing solely the railings of the balconies, to get to the trapped individuals. Particular Agent Lundt assisted from the bottom whereas Officer Adamson assisted native fireplace fighters. Mr. Sullivan made the climb thrice, rescuing 4 individuals. Remarkably, nobody was injured throughout the whole incident.
Deputy Attaché Jeffrey Ellis, assigned to Homeland Safety Investigations’ Worldwide Operations Division, and understanding of Dakar, Senegal, was at a seaside restaurant in Grand Bassam, Cote d’Ivoire on March 13, 2016, on short-term obligation project when he heard gun photographs and helped his U.S. embassy colleagues and two different bystanders evade the assailants. Their escape was impeded by a seven-foot stone wall. Attaché Ellis helped everybody scale the wall and take shelter in an area residence. Attaché Ellis contacted the Marines on the U.S. Embassy in Abidjan and offered situational stories. Over the following two hours, Attaché Ellis monitored the perimeter safety, and as soon as rescued by safety forces, offered an eyewitness account of the terrorist assault. The following day, he continued together with his project in Abidjan to offer counterterrorism coaching.