L E A D E R S H I P C O U R A G E A W A R D S . C O M
Courage Leads present awards to those who raise the standard of leadership, inspire others, and greatly benefit the community. Acts of courage demonstrated for principle or conviction or at personal physical risk are also recognized. Chuck Paris began presenting these awards in 1991 under POSITIVE I.D., a non-profit organization he founded as an intervention effort to teach on-camera conflict resolution and communication skills to juveniles in the court system to prevent gangs, violence and recidivism. We extend a special thanks to Mr. Paul Moake (Master Sergeant, U.S. Army, Retired), for his kind support in preparing the awards.
The awards were created, based on the enduring acts of courage, committed by people during the course of their everyday lives, that Chuck witnessed throughout his military and police careers and in what his parents have demonstrated since his forest ranger father was severely injured fighting a wildfire in Oregon in 1961. Memorial awards have also been presented in the names of police officers killed in the line-of-duty. Humanity always remembers the courage of those who stood alone, rose above, went beyond or sought and fought to stand against those who stood against others. Leadership Courage Award (LCA) Sample.
World history gives account to the lives taken in war, violence, crime and terrorism. Potential lost to hate. In every event, a story unfolds and those of courage live and die to tell it. They share with us their passion for words, words that unite us in care. They put their name and face before us, that we might know the nameless and the faceless. Courage Leads expresses a deep appreciation to members of the press and media who, without their stories, those deserving recognition would remain anonymous. We recognize the courage and sacrifice of those who give their lives to bring their words to life. Their names are forever remembered on the Journalists Memorial in Washington, DC.
H O N O R I N G T H E C O U R A G E O F T H O S E W H O
I N S P I R E T H E C O U R A G E I N O T H E R S
 Photo by Heather Paris |
C. T. WILSON IN RECOGNITION OF YOUR YOUR VOLUNTEER EFFORTS, DECEMBER 2009 |
Prosecutor C. T. Wilson was nominated for the Leadership Courage Award (LCA) following a December 7, 2009 article in The Washington Post, written by Reporter Ruben Castaneda, which details the prosecutor’s passion to empower foster children and divert teens from the criminal justice system. SEE ARTICLE. The nomination for the LCA to C.T. Wilson came from fellow LCA recipient Dave McDowell, who flies humanitarian aid relief missions to children in Africa. Mr. Wilson received the LCA on December 22, 2009. State’s Attorney Glenn Ivey shared his support, as did members of the State’s Attorney’s Office. On Christmas Eve, Mr. Wilson and his daughters delivered gifts to foster children in Prince George’s County. (see photo)
 |
SGT. DAVE McDOWELL (Ret.) CITATION IN RECOGNITION OF YOUR DECEMBER 2009 |
Dave McDowell is preparing for another humanitarian aid relief and education mission in the spring of 2010. Those seeking to sponsor or support future missions can obtain additional information through the non-profit relief website.
 |
CHIEF TERESA C. CHAMBERS CITATION YOUR EFFORTS TO ENHANCE THE SAFETY UNDER PROLONGED PERSONAL SACRIFICE, YOUR DEDICATION TO LAW ENFORCEMENT DECEMBER 2009 |
Chief Chambers was nominated for the Leadership Courage Award in October 2008 for her actions to protect citizens, officers under her command, and our treasured monuments on the National Mall in Washington, DC from terrorism. In February 2002, Teresa Chambers was sworn-in as the first female Chief of the United States Park Police (USPP), which provides protection for national parks and dignitary protection for the President of the United States and other officials. In December 2003, Chief Chambers became most recognizable as a whistleblower on safety concerns relating to staffing and budgetary shortages. For honestly answering questions from a news reporter and a Congressional staffer, Chief Chambers was fired in July 2004. The entire case is detailed on the website Honest Chief. Prior to her service with the USPP, Teresa Chambers served four years as Chief of the Durham Police (NC), and more than 21 years with Prince George’s Co. PD (MD), retiring at the rank of Major. Chief Chambers is a graduate of the FBI’s National Academy and National Executive Institute, and an adjunct faculty member at Johns Hopkins University. She currently serves as Chief of Police in Riverdale Park, MD. See award presentation photo.
 |
CHRISTOPHER MEROLA CITATION IN RECOGNITION OF YOU NOVEMBER 2009 |
Christopher Merola is the son of Italian immigrants whose lives were saved from the Nazis by the U.S. Army during World War II. At age 17, Christopher joined the U.S. Army in order to give something back to the organization and to the nation that made his life possible. When the opportunity came to run for political office in 2009, Christopher remembered the stories of lives lost under the oppressive occupation of the Nazis and of the lives liberated through the courage and sacrifice of America’s World War II veterans. Inspired by their example, Christopher took a stand against injustice and genocide and made human rights a foundation of his campaign, even when it was not popular to do so.
 Photo by Heather Paris |
MILDRED D. MUHAMMAD CITATION YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY TO National Domestic Violence Awareness Month |
Convicted “DC Sniper” John Alan Muhammad unleashed a killing-spree in the Washington, DC area in October 2002 that left ten innocent people dead and several wounded. It was reported that the shootings and killings began in Washington State and continued through the Southwest and Southeast before culminating in the Washington, DC region where his former wife, Mildred D. Muhammad, resides with her children from their previous marriage. It was also reported that the motive for the killings was to ultimately kill Mildred as a part of the rampage and gain custody of the children. John Alan Muhammad was executed in Virginia in November 2009.
Mildred D. Muhammad founded the not-for-profit organization After the Trauma as a support to others experiencing domestic violence. Her book, “Scared Silent” was released in October 2009 and details her experiences with John Alan Muhammad. In her book, and on her websites she mentions receiving the Leadership Courage Award from “No Jurisdictional Boundaries,” which is now Courage Leads, LLC.
VIOLENCE PREVENTION CREW
Montgomery County (MD): Between the school years 1992 – 1994, eight high school teenagers demonstrated their leadership abilities and courage through “long hours of unselfish dedication” in service to the community. They received the award for their prolonged and inspiring efforts. The teens, members of the Violence Prevention Crew, created and performed in stage productions and videos for gang and violence prevention. They also participated in radio, press and cable access interviews, community meetings, a speaking opportunity to a neighboring school district, and conflict resolution courses for inmates at the county jail. For their efforts, the teens were recognized by the Governor’s Advisory Council on Youth and Gang Violence. (See Article 1 and Article 2)
DAVID WILLIAMS & AKIN BROWN
Montgomery County (MD): In December 1992, Washington, DC teenagers David Williams and Akin Brown both received courage awards during a POSITIVE I.D. violence prevention stage production at a county middle school. While walking home after getting off a city bus, they became victims of armed street robbers who began shooting at them. As David and Akin fled, Akin was shot. Under fire, David returned to Akin and carried him to safety. Akin received the award for appearing in the show. David received the award for rescuing Akin. In addition, it was reported that paramedics who responded to the crime scene cut Akin’s tennis shoes off to treat him. Foot Locker shoes donated two $100.00 gift certificates for Akin and David that were also presented at the performance. (See Article)
MORLAN O’BRYAN
Boston, MA: In May 1992, Morlan O’Bryan received the courage award for his actions after, “Instinct told Morlan O’Bryan to scramble for cover when three teen-agers with guns rounded his street corner and started shooting. But when he saw two kids running unwittingly into the line of fire, he thought of his children, raised himself from the ground and ran to shield them. A bullet caught him in the spine. Now O’Bryan, a 33-year-old father and warehouse worker whose five children range from 2 to 11, is in University Hospital. Doctors say he may never walk again. O’Bryan says he would do it again. “I was glad to be there for somebody’s kids,” O’Bryan said. “I can’t live with seeing somebody else’s kids die.” He believes the bullet he took would have hit the head of 9-year-old Nubella Stephens, who was fleeing with her 6-year-old brother, Joseph. “I didn’t have any fear. I knew that God would look over me either way,” O’Bryan said from his hospital room. No one has been arrested in the case, and O’Bryan says he feels sorry for the youth who shot him because he needs some “holiness in his life.” (Associated Press). (See Article)
CELEBRITY
Washington, DC: In October 1991, an internationally known African American celebrity was presented the POSITIVE I.D. Leadership Award for a lifetime of positive influence and work with youth. The celebrity was performing locally and was kind enough to provide tickets for two teenagers from Glen Arden, MD to attend the performance to assist in the award presentation. The teens stood out from negative influences and earned personal academic achievements. They also mentored other teens and provided positive influences on in their community. The celebrity name is being kept confidential since the award was presented under a non-profit organization. An article in a community newspaper did report the event.
DARREN BOSTICK
First Courage Award Presented
Orlando, FL: In 1991, the first Courage Award was presented to Darren Bostick, an innocent shooting victim. Despite still wearing bandages around his neck to cover his bullet wound, Darren appeared in a POSITIVE I.D. violence prevention stage production. He went before 100 other teens who were sentenced to the court diversionary program to show that shooting victims in the news are real. He went in pain to take a stand against violence. A quote from his father [LeRoy Bostick] says it all, “I feel damn right proud of him,” his father said. “It took a lot of courage to do what he did [appear in the show]. We can’t change what happened to him, but I’ll tell you, this shouldn’t happen to anybody.” (See Orlando Sentinel, April 11, 1991).
COURAGE AWARD BECOMES A MEMORIAL
When Chuck Paris founded POSITIVE I.D. in 1990 it sought to acknowledge and honor the contributions and courage of citizens who demonstrated selfless acts of bravery. First established in 1990 as the “Courage Award,” it became the “Memorial Courage Award” in 1994 when it recognized three teenagers who gave of themselves, in honor, and in the names of officers who gave their lives.
Washington, DC: In 1993-4, three police officers in the Washington, DC area were killed in the line-of-duty within weeks of each other. Two were killed by armed assailants. The other died in a traffic accident while responding to assist another officer in the pursuit of a stolen vehicle. Memorial awards were established in the names of each officer, with the assistance of their agencies, and presented by the officer’s widows and surviving family members to area teenagers at local church services. Since the awards were presented through the non-profit organization POSITIVE I.D., the names of the officers and those who received them are being kept confidential out of respect for the families.
POLICE OFFICER ONE
The officer was shot and killed while approaching a known criminal. The African American teenage award recipient was a high school football star who was paralyzed during a game and confined to a wheel chair. He demonstrated courage to his team and others throughout the remainder of his life. He established a foundation in his name to provide college scholarships in communications to deserving youth. He died of heat exposure in August 1999 when his motorized wheel chair became stuck on gravel and he was unable to summon assistance.
POLICE OFFICER TWO
The officer was killed in a traffic accident while responding to assist another officer pursuing a stolen vehicle. The African American teenage award recipient was a member of the police explorer post. She was top in her unit and nominated by the police agency for her exceptional service to the community.
POLICE OFFICER THREE
The officer was the first officer from his agency to be killed in the line-of-duty. The officer approached a vehicle on a dead-end street which was occupied by a male driver and female passenger. The male driver shot the officer and fled. The African American teenage female passenger stayed with the dying officer, rendered aid and called for assistance on his police radio. The female passenger received the Memorial Courage Award at a community ceremony where public officials also recognized her efforts to save the officer.
Everyday across the world, military and public safety personnel put their lives on the line to protect others.
** OFFICER DOWN MEMORIAL PAGE **
Provides a searchable database of all police officers killed in the line-of-duty in America.
For Fire Fighters killed in the line-of-duty please see the
NATIONAL FIREFIGHTER’S MEMORIAL
For Military Personnel who gave their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan please see:
“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.”
Philippians 1:3
