Scott Medal
Encyclopedia
The Walter Scott Medal is a medal awarded annually for bravery to Garda Síochána
police officers and firemen. It is not a state award, being at the gift of the commissioner, but the medals are awarded by the Minister for Justice
. FDNY recipients are also awarded $500, donated by the Fire Foundation of New York. This organization was established in 1968 by a group of prominent New York City businessmen, friends of the FDNY, in the interest of rewarding Fire Department members who perform acts above and beyond the call of duty.
philanthropist
who took an interest in policing. In 1920, he endowed a medal for valor bearing his name, to be awarded annually to a member of the FDNY. In 1923 he gave a one thousand dollar gold Bond which would pay for in perpituity a gold medal.
The award was to be presented for under the following condition:
No action, however heroic, will merit the award of the Scott medal unless it takes the shape of an act of personal bravery, performed intelligently in the execution of duty at imminent risk to the life of the doer, and armed with full previous knowledge of the risk involved.
In 1925, Scott presented further 500 dollar bond to present silver and bronze medals. These medals were for officers who performed similar acts in the execution of duty but with less risk to their lives and who are next in order of merit.
In 1942, the award condition was amended to most exceptional bravery and heroism involving the risk of life in the execution of duty.
The medal is a Celtic cross
which is 44mm in diameter with five panels on the face. The inscription on the top panel is "The Scott Medal" and on the lower panel "For Valor". On the right and left are the eagle and shield of the United States
. and the harp and sunburst of Ireland
, respectively. The centerpiece is the Garda Crest with the intertwined letters G.S. for Garda Síochána..
The reverse is inscribed "Gharda Síochána na h-Éireann". The four outside panels are the arms of the four provinces of Ireland, Ulster
, Munster
, Leinster
and Connaught
.
Garda Síochána
, more commonly referred to as the Gardaí , is the police force of Ireland. The service is headed by the Commissioner who is appointed by the Irish Government. Its headquarters are located in the Phoenix Park in Dublin.- Terminology :...
police officers and firemen. It is not a state award, being at the gift of the commissioner, but the medals are awarded by the Minister for Justice
Minister for Justice
The Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Justice, commonly referred to as the Justice Secretary, is a cabinet position in the Scottish Government...
. FDNY recipients are also awarded $500, donated by the Fire Foundation of New York. This organization was established in 1968 by a group of prominent New York City businessmen, friends of the FDNY, in the interest of rewarding Fire Department members who perform acts above and beyond the call of duty.
History
The medal was instituted at the behest of Colonel Walter Scott, a New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
philanthropist
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
who took an interest in policing. In 1920, he endowed a medal for valor bearing his name, to be awarded annually to a member of the FDNY. In 1923 he gave a one thousand dollar gold Bond which would pay for in perpituity a gold medal.
The award was to be presented for under the following condition:
No action, however heroic, will merit the award of the Scott medal unless it takes the shape of an act of personal bravery, performed intelligently in the execution of duty at imminent risk to the life of the doer, and armed with full previous knowledge of the risk involved.
In 1925, Scott presented further 500 dollar bond to present silver and bronze medals. These medals were for officers who performed similar acts in the execution of duty but with less risk to their lives and who are next in order of merit.
In 1942, the award condition was amended to most exceptional bravery and heroism involving the risk of life in the execution of duty.
Design
The medal was designed by John F. Maxwell, a Dublin-based teacher who also designed the Garda Síochána crest.The medal is a Celtic cross
Celtic cross
A Celtic cross is a symbol that combines a cross with a ring surrounding the intersection. In the Celtic Christian world it was combined with the Christian cross and this design was often used for high crosses – a free-standing cross made of stone and often richly decorated...
which is 44mm in diameter with five panels on the face. The inscription on the top panel is "The Scott Medal" and on the lower panel "For Valor". On the right and left are the eagle and shield of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. and the harp and sunburst of Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, respectively. The centerpiece is the Garda Crest with the intertwined letters G.S. for Garda Síochána..
The reverse is inscribed "Gharda Síochána na h-Éireann". The four outside panels are the arms of the four provinces of Ireland, Ulster
Ulster
Ulster is one of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island. In ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial...
, Munster
Munster
Munster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the south of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial purposes...
, Leinster
Leinster
Leinster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the east of Ireland. It comprises the ancient Kingdoms of Mide, Osraige and Leinster. Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the historic fifths of Leinster and Mide gradually merged, mainly due to the impact of the Pale, which straddled...
and Connaught
Connacht
Connacht , formerly anglicised as Connaught, is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the west of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for...
.
Notable recipients
- Charles F. Follini, FDNY, Ladder 13, 1945
- Henry L. SmithHenry L. SmithHenry L. Smith , was a Garda Síochána and recipient of the Scott Medal.-Background:Smith was born in Salthill, County Galway, and worked as a farmer prior to joining the force as Garda 1969 on 18 October 1922....
- Deaths of Garda officers (1980)Deaths of Garda officers (1980)Two officers of the Garda Síochána, the police force of the Ireland, were shot and killed on July 7 1980 by alleged members of the Irish National Liberation Army during a pursuit in the aftermath of a bank robbery. Occurring near Loughglynn, County Roscommon, the officers' deaths provoked a...
- Jerry McCabeJerry McCabeDetective Garda Jerry McCabe was a member of the Garda Síochána, the police force of the Republic of Ireland. McCabe was murdered in Adare, County Limerick on 7 June 1996, by members of the paramilitary group, the Provisional IRA, during the attempted robbery of a post office van.-Early...
, awarded posthumously after he was shot and killed during a Provisional Irish Republican ArmyProvisional Irish Republican ArmyThe Provisional Irish Republican Army is an Irish republican paramilitary organisation whose aim was to remove Northern Ireland from the United Kingdom and bring about a socialist republic within a united Ireland by force of arms and political persuasion...
robbery. - Yvonne Burke (Garda)Yvonne Burke (Garda)Yvonne Burke, Garda Síochána and first female recipient of the Scott Medal, born 20 April 1970.-Incident at Cabra:Burke and her colleague, Garda Brady, were on mobile patrol on the Navan Road, Cabra, on 13 November 1993 when an alarm was raised at a local supermarket...