History
The Garda medal was instituted at the behest of Colonel Walter Scott, a New York City philanthropist who took an interest in policing. In 1923 he gave to the Garda a one thousand dollar gold Bond, which would pay in perpetuity for a gold medal. The award was to be presented 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 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 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" (note the American English usage of the word "valour"). On the right and left are the eagle and shield of the United States and the harp and sunburst of Republic of Ireland, Ireland, 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 and Connacht, Connaught.Notable recipients
* Yvonne Burke (Garda), Yvonne Burke * Deaths of Henry Byrne and John Morley (1980) * John Martin Cafferky * John M. G. Cosgrove * Richard Fallon (police officer), Richard Fallon (1970) * Jerry McCabe, awarded posthumously after he was Death of Jerry McCabe, shot and killed during a Provisional Irish Republican Army robbery * Patrick J. Molloy * Henry L. Smith * Brian Connaughton (Scott Medal recipient), Brian ConnaughtonSee also
* List of Irish police officers killed in the line of dutyReferences
{{Garda Síochána Garda Síochána Orders, decorations, and medals of Ireland Awards established in 1923 Law enforcement awards and honors