- Scott Medal
The Scott Medal is a medal awarded annually for bravery to
Garda Síochána police officers . It is not a state award being at the gift of the commisioner but the medals are awarded by theMinister for Justice . [http://www.esatclear.ie/~garda/smdesign.html The design of the Scott Medal] ]History
The medal was instituted at the behest of Colonel Walter Scott, a
New York philanthropist who took an interest in policing. In 1923 he gave a one thousand dollar gold Bond which would pay for in perpituity a gold medal. [http://www.garda.ie/history4.html History of the Scott 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 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 theUnited States . and the harp and sunburst ofIreland , 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 andConnaught .Notable recipients
*
Jerry McCabe , awarded posthumously after he was shot and killed during aProvisional Irish Republican Army robbery. [ [http://www.rte.ie/news/2000/0706/garda.html Three Gardaí, including Jerry McCabe, awarded medals for bravery RTE News July 2000] ]References
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