Tuesday, Alaska Governor Bill Walker signed House Bill 235 into law creating a new honor to show the appreciation of Alaskans for peace officers and first responders injured or killed while exhibiting great courage and valor in service of their fellow Alaskans. The new “North Star Medal” is reserved for firefighters, police officers, corrections officers, first responders, peace officers, and search and rescue volunteers who show extraordinary bravery every day in keeping Alaskans safe.
“Every day brave men and women put themselves in harm’s way to serve us, the people of Alaska. We owe them a debt of gratitude,” said HB 235 sponsor Representative Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins (D-Sitka).