BOISE, Idaho — Four law enforcement officers from across Idaho have been awarded the 2025 Idaho Medal of Honor, the state’s highest recognition for first responders who display extraordinary bravery in the line of duty.
The ceremony was held Tuesday in the Lincoln Auditorium at the Idaho State Capitol, where Attorney General Raúl Labrador presented the medals before an audience of family members and colleagues. The award honors law enforcement officers, firefighters, and EMS personnel who perform “exceptional meritorious conduct” during official duties, often risking serious injury or death.
“Sometimes this noble work demands unusual acts of bravery and a disregard for one’s own safety,” Labrador said, noting the June loss of two Coeur d’Alene firefighters and the severe injury of a third in a targeted shooting.
Honorees and Their Actions
Sgt. Taylor Beach — Coeur d’Alene Police Department
During a February 27, 2018 traffic stop, Sgt. Beach and her trainee encountered a fugitive with felony warrants. The suspect opened fire, seriously wounding her trainee. Beach returned fire, pursued the gunman, and, under threat of continued gunfire, rescued her injured partner, transporting them to a hospital and saving their life.
Officer Brian Quiterio — Kimberly-Hansen Police Department
On November 24, 2024, Officer Quiterio responded to Hansen Bridge for a suicidal individual found unconscious and partially over the 350-foot drop into Snake River Canyon. When the person regained consciousness and became combative, Quiterio remained at the canyon’s edge until the individual was secured and moved to safety.
Cpl. Sikko Barghoorn & Sgt. Leon Dennis — Garden City Police Department
On August 9, 2023, Barghoorn and Dennis entered a home where shots had been fired, knowing an innocent person was trapped inside. Moving without knowledge of the shooter’s location, they came under fire but continued forward, located the victim, and brought them to safety. The suspect was later found and taken into custody without further incident.
About the Idaho Medal of Honor
The Idaho Medal of Honor program was established in 2004 for law enforcement and firefighters, and expanded in 2005 to include EMS personnel. Since then, more than 80 individuals — some posthumously — have received the honor.
Wayne Denny, Medal of Honor Commissioner since 2011, noted that advancements in technology, such as body and dash camera footage, now give the commission greater clarity in reviewing nominations. While the number of recipients varies each year, the standard for recognition remains the same.
“Awardees today are just as worthy as the first recipients 20 years ago,” Denny said. “It’s really measuring against that standard of going above and beyond.”
Related Coverage
- Idaho News – https://idahonews.co/idaho-news-3/
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