This year marked the second year for the Valor Awards, a distinguished ceremony brought to you by the Exchange Club of Northside Bloomington in partnership with the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce. The ceremony is dedicated to honoring the bravery and selflessness of our first responders. Set to spotlight these everyday heroes, the Valor Awards will recognized one individual from each sector for their exemplary service. The event, proudly presented by Old National Bank & Weddle Bros. Construction Companies, unfolded on Tuesday, May 6th, 2025 at the Monroe Convention Center. See photos from the event below!

The Valor Awards recognized the following individuals: (* Winner of sector)

Law Enforcement
- Trooper Ben Burris – Indiana State Police Department
- Cpl. Deandre Moxley – Monroe County Sheriff’s Office
- Officer Jeff Raybould – Bloomington Police Department*
- Deputy Chief George Robinson – Ellettsville Police Department
- Officer Ryan Skaggs – Indiana University Police Department

Fire Department
- Battalion Chief Clay Edwards – Monroe Fire Protection District
- Capt. Kenny Hinkle – City of Bloomington Fire Department
- Capt. Matthew Siebott – Ellettsville Fire Department*

Dispatch
- Jarrod Bailey – Monroe County Central Emergency Dispatch Center*

Correctional Center
- Sgt. Paul Patton – Monroe County Sheriff’s Office*

Nominations were submitted from each department based on the three criteria of Leadership, Excellence, and Valor.

The Exchange Club of Northside Bloomington also awarded Captain Jeff Hacker with the David Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award, an award presented to deserving firefighters based on integrity, professionalism, and demonstrated commitment to the service of their community, and their department.

Photos from the event can be found below! 
(Photos provided by The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce and Bloomington Photobooth Company)

As part of the Chamber’s and the Exchange Club’s commitment to community, we partnered with Back the Line Monroe County to raise funding at this event. This organization is a 501(c)3 local non-profit organization that offers support to Monroe County's first responders and their families at times when tragedy strikes. Back the Line offers immediate monetary and emotional support to the surviving families of a fallen or disabled Monroe County first responder. This organization actively supports first responders’ mental health and morale during the year by providing access to peer support, chaplain services, social workers, grief counseling, and incident debriefings. 

Without the continuous support of our sponsors, this event could not have been possible! Thank you to Presenting Sponsors Old National Bank, and Weddle Brothers Construction Company. As well as Sound Management's B97 and Hoosier Country 105.1, Baugh Fine Print & Mailing, Bloomington Photobooth Company, Cook Medical, Forthphaze Technologies, Nature's Way, CFC Properties, Duke Energy, German American Bank, and Simtra BioPharma Solutions. We also want to thank the businesses that purchased a table specifically for the first responders and their families including Boston Scientific, F.C. Tucker Realtors, Simtra BioPharma Solutions, The Mill, and Uptown Cafe.