Valor Awards

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!

Nominations were solicited from Monroe County entities in five categories: law enforcement, fire, dispatch, emergency medical, and correctional center, with an outside selection committee tasked with reviewing submissions. The winners of each category will be announced during the awards presentation. 
Nominees include (winners *):

• Law Enforcement
  • Cpl. Josh Fuller – Monroe County Sheriff’s Office*
  • Detective Jon Muscato – Bloomington Police Department
  • Melissa Stone – Bloomington Police Department (Social Worker)
  • Officer Aaron Thomas – Indiana University Police Department
  • Trooper Curtis Wilder - Indiana State Police
  • Officer Matt Williams – DNR Bloomington
• Fire Department
  • Capt. Jayden Elkins – City of Bloomington Fire Department
  • Capt. Ryan Fipps – Monroe Fire Protection District*
• Correctional Center
  • Officer Sam Crowe – Monroe County Sheriff’s Office*
• Dispatch
  • Brooke Raybould - Monroe County Central Dispatch*
• Emergency Medical Technician
  • Sgt. Brandon Hudson – City of Bloomington Fire Department
  • Dr. Andrew Watters - IU Health LifeLine EMS*

​The Exchange Club has a longstanding tradition of honoring law enforcement and firefighters. In collaboration with the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, donations from the event supported Back the Line Monroe County, a 501(c)3 non-profit charitable organization that offers support to Monroe County's first responders and their families 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. Back the Line 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.

The Exchange Club's tradition of honoring law enforcement and firefighters stands as a cornerstone of its mission, celebrating the unwavering commitment and courage of those who ensure public safety and well-being. The annual recognition acts as a profound acknowledgment of the bravery, sacrifice, and service exhibited by these individuals. It underscores the community's appreciation and respect for their roles, thereby strengthening the bond between first responders and the communities they serve.