Kootenai County Deputies to Receive Attorney General’s Medal of Honor
KOOTENAI COUNTY, Idaho — Three Kootenai County sheriff’s deputies will obtain the Idaho Attorney General’s Medal of Honor for his or her heroic actions through the lethal Canfield incident final summer time.
On February 18, 2026, Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador notified the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office that Deputies Harvey Ballman, Arek Brock and Josh Orr have been chosen for the celebrated award. The three will even obtain the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office Medal of Honor — the best award offered by the division.
The deputies have been among the many first to arrive on scene June 29, 2025, through the Canfield incident by which two firefighters have been killed, one was severely wounded and one other was trapped. A wildland fireplace was actively burning on the time.
According to the sheriff’s workplace, the deputies rapidly developed a rescue plan underneath extraordinarily harmful situations. They efficiently extracted the injured firefighter, rescued the trapped firefighter and helped 5 civilians to security. As the hearth unfold, additionally they recovered the our bodies of the 2 fallen firefighters.
“It is a privilege to recognize these deputies’ heroic actions and honor them with this award,” Attorney General Labrador mentioned. “Their selfless courage saved lives and exemplifies the finest of Idaho law enforcement.”
Sheriff Bob Norris praised the deputies for his or her bravery.
“In the face of danger and the unknown, with disregard for their own personal safety, Deputies Ballman, Brock and Orr acted heroically to save lives and remove the two murdered firefighters from the approaching wildland fire,” Norris mentioned. “Kootenai County residents should feel safe and secure knowing that we have deputy sheriffs willing to sacrifice themselves to protect and serve our community. It is an honor to work side by side with each of them.”
The awards acknowledge extraordinary braveness and repair within the line of obligation.
