Press Release from Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office
On February 18, 2026, The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office was notified by Attorney General Raul Labrador that Deputies Harvey Ballman, Arek Brock and Josh Orr will receive The Attorney General’s Medal of Honor Award. The three deputies will also receive the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office Medal of Honor Award. The Medal of Honor is the highest award presented by the Sheriff’s Office.
On June 29, 2025, Deputies Ballman, Brock and Orr, arrived on scene of the Canfield incident where 2 firefighters were murdered, a third firefighter was severely wounded and a fourth trapped firefighter. The deputies developed a plan and under the most challenging of circumstances extracted the injured firefighter, a trapped firefighter, and five civilians all while a wildland fire was actively burning. As the fire began to spread, the deputies extracted the 2 murdered firefighters.
Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador stated “It is a privilege to recognize these deputies’ heroic actions and honor them with this award. Their selfless courage saved lives and exemplifies the finest of Idaho law enforcement.”
Sheriff Bob Norris said, “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. 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.”
