On 6 March 2026, a formal ceremony was held to honour 77 courageous and dedicated individuals whose actions saved lives and reflected outstanding compassion. The recipients included both police officers and members of the public who went above and beyond what is expected, earning their place among everyday heroes. Few acts are more heroic than stepping in instinctively, without hesitation, to help another person in distress, even at personal risk.
At the ceremony, Director General of the Police Damjan Petrič and Minister of the Interior Branko Zlobko presented three medals for exceptional bravery and 74 medals for selflessness. They congratulated the recipients and expressed their sincere gratitude for their actions.
In his address, Petrič highlighted the extraordinary courage of the recipients: "Some of you jumped into the water to save those who no longer had the strength to keep swimming. Others entered burning buildings to rescue those trapped inside. Some provided life-saving first aid in critical moments. Others prevented tragedies through decisive intervention or stood up to violence to protect the vulnerable. What you all share is the ability to recognise another person’s distress and to respond swiftly, calmly and decisively to preserve life and protect property. When it mattered most, you rose to the occasion, and your actions are an inspiration to us all."
This year’s recipients intervened in 41 separate incidents between November 2024 and December 2025. Of the 77 honoured with police medals, 63 were police officers and 14 were members of the public. Among the civilian recipients were also three individuals with prior experience in policing, including two retired police officers and one auxiliary police officer.
