Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas honored Department of Homeland Security employees April 7 during the annual Secretary’s Awards.
The DHS honored 876 employees who demonstrated commitment and upheld the values of duty, honor and excellence during the award ceremony, according to the news release announcing the winners. Recipients were from all nine DHS component agencies and headquarters across 26 states, Guam, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and Vietnam.
“There is no higher calling than public service. The personnel throughout our department give so much of themselves to keep our communities safe and to better the lives of others," Mayorkas said in the news release. "The individuals we recognize today exemplify the best of our department and the best of public service. I am grateful for their service to our nation and proud to recognize their extraordinary accomplishments.”
Eight awards are presented, including the Exceptional Service Gold Medal, the Meritorious Service Silver Medal, Award for Valor, Award for Leadership Excellence, Award for Innovation, Award for Team Excellence, Champion of Equity and Award for Volunteer Service.
The winners for the 2022 Secretary's Awards spanned a wide variety of achievements, such as response to cyberattacks, saving lives by sea and air, securing the nation’s elections to protect our democracy and deployment across the country to support Americans receiving vaccinations against COVID-19 to help end the pandemic, according to the news release.
