WASHINGTON (May 14, 2015) — Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson today presented the 2015 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary’s Award for Valor to 12 outstanding individuals who have displayed exceptional valor either while serving the Department, or while off-duty acting only as a concerned citizen willing to help those in need. Among the 12 was a Hollywood man, Kevin Adams.
Adams is an inspector with the National Protection and Programs Directorate Federal Protective Service and is stationed in Alexandria, Va.
According to the DHS, Adams was traveling home after a 10-hour shift on Nov. 9, 2014, when he noticed an unoccupied car on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge outside of Washington, D.C. As he passed the vehicle, he noticed a woman sitting on the railing of the bridge. Inspector Adams stopped to offer assistance, activated his emergency lights, and called for backup. As he approached the woman, she made a motion to jump off the bridge. Inspector Adams grabbed the back of her coat to stop her. She then unzipped her coat and pulled her left arm out, and then Inspector Adams grabbed her right arm to keep her from jumping. The woman made a third attempt to jump from the bridge. Finally, Inspector Adams was able to convince the woman to step away from the edge of the bridge and receive help.
“The Secretary’s Award for Valor is the highest honor to recognize those who have put others before themselves, integrity and duty above all else,” said Secretary Johnson. “Like so many others at the Department who preserve our freedoms and protect the Homeland with integrity and respect, the Valor awardees performed well beyond what is expected, responding in extraordinary action to help another in need. It is an honor to shake their hands today and thank them for their selfless service.”