Sheriff's offices face daily challenges requiring courage, resilience, and a steadfast commitment to public service. The annual Utah Sheriffs Association Conference honors exceptional offices and individuals who go above and beyond, recognizing their dedication to safety, trust, and community impact.
2026 Awards
- Sheriff’s Deputy of the Year: Sergeant Roger Lowe, Utah County Sheriff's Office
- Gold Medal of Valor: Deputy Kashea Estrada, Deputy Kyle Walkingshaw, Deputy Michael Chidester, Sergeant Nicholas Friedrichsen, Deputy Robert Bingham, Detective Jeffrey Allen, Utah County Sheriff’s Office
- Life Saving Medal: Deputy Joshua Paul Opp, Deputy Dylan Kohl Keele, Sergeant Richard Wade Ryan, Emery County Sheriff’s Office
- Life Saving Medal: Deputy Brayden Clark, Utah County Sheriff’s Office
- Life Saving Medal: Deputy Armando Parra, Utah County Sheriff’s Office
- Life Saving Medal: San Juan County Sheriff’s Office: Sergeant Scott Sandefur, Deputy Ben Tomco, Deputy Kavika Su’esu’e, Deputy Jay Begay, Deputy Avery Olsen, Deputy Herbert Todachinnie, Deputy Payton Palmer, Lieutenant Colby Turk, Sheriff Lehi Lacy
- Life Saving Medal: Deputy Jakob Johnson, Deputy Brandon Fullmer, Box Elder County Sheriff’s Office
- Life Saving Medal: Kathleen Jorgensen, Sergeant Will Wollesen, Deputy Brandon Douglas, Deputy Ryan Quittner, Nurse Darian Rael, Tooele County Sheriff’s Office
- Life Saving Medal: Mindy J Lammert, Grand County Sheriff’s Office
- Dispatcher of the Year: Cynthia Archbold, Davis County Sheriff’s Office
- Corrections Officer of the Year: Corporal Gwen Seifert, Davis County Sheriff’s Office
- Search and Rescue Member of the Year: Greg Beveridge, Utah County Sheriff’s Office
- Jail Commander of the Year: Lieutenant Tyrell Roundy, Kane County Sheriff’s Office
2025 Awards
- Sheriff’s Deputy of the Year: Deputy Shane Franchow, Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office
- Purple Heart: Deputy Cody Pender, Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office
- Gold Medal of Valor: Deputy Jacob O'Donnal, Deputy Kyle Russell, Uintah County Sheriff’s Office
- Gold Medal of Valor: Deputy Emaloni Lutui, Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office (Awarded Posthumously)
- Life Saving Medal: Deputy Drexson Simmons, Uintah County Sheriff's Office
- Life Saving Medal: Deputy Justin Gurr, Utah County Sheriff's Office
- Life Saving Medal: Deputy Jeremy Taubman, Tooele County Sheriff's Office
- Life Saving Medal: Deputy Sam Boyd, Davis County Sheriff's Office
- Life Saving Medal: Deputy Vanessa Finley, Deputy Kirk Silver, Deputy Colton Wheelwright, Davis County Sheriff's Office
- Dispatcher of the Year: Daria Ottoson, Ashlee Newton, Tooele County Sheriff's Office
- Corrections Officer of the Year: Sergeant Jeffery McFarland, Utah County Sheriff's Office
- Civilian Employee of the Year: Jeff Guymon, Emery County
- Search and Rescue Member of the Year: Commander Shad Shelley, Uintah County SAR
- Jail Commander of the Year: Lieutenant Darin Durfey, Tooele County Sheriff's Office