White House Awards Hudson Valley Firefighter Posthumous Medal Of Valor

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — Jared Lloyd, the Spring Valley volunteer firefighter who died saving residents from a massive fire at an adult home in 2021, was posthumously awarded a Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor from President Joe Biden on Monday.

Lloyd was among 15 recipients of the Medal of Valor, which is awarded to public safety officers for acts of bravery made in an effort to save others, in a ceremony taking place for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Watch the official White House video of the ceremony here.

In his remarks, the president said "This designation reads, and I quote: 'For action above and beyond the call of duty; and exhibiting exceptional courage, extraordinary decisiveness and presence of mind, or unusual swiftness [in] action, regardless of his or her personal safety, in an attempt to save or protect human life.' End of quote. That’s valor. That’s valor."

He singled out Lloyd's family, along with the family of Officer Jason Shuping, who was shot and killed by a man who attempted a carjacking, took a woman hostage, and engaged in a gun battle with responding officers.

"And I want to — I want to thank the spouses and the children of the honorees. It takes a special person to marry or a child — to be the child of a firefighter or a law enforcement officer. How many times have you sat in front of the steps of the house when the city lights have gone out, and you turn to your husband or your wife, holding your kids and say, 'We’ll be fine. We’ll be fine. Go do your job. Go do your job'?

"You know, when your loved — when your loved one puts on that shield and walks out the door each day, every family member dreads the possibility of receiving that phone call, knowing the uncertainty that faces you as they walk out the door.

"So today, from the bottom of our hearts, we thank you, the spouses, the children of the public safety officers. And I really mean it.

"And there are two families in particular I want to acknowledge. Two of our honorees, Officer Jason Shuping and Lieutenant Jared Lloyd, are not with us today because they gave their lives in the full service to their communities and this nation."

The president presented Lloyd's medal to his mother Sabrail Davenport, who attended with his two sons.

President Biden said, "Fallen 2nd Lieutenant Jared Lloyd of the Spring Valley, New York, Fire Department repeatedly rushed into a burning nursing home to carry out elderly residents who couldn’t escape in their wheelchairs and walkers. Along with his team, Lieutenant Lloyd rescued all 112 residents. As flames engulfed the building, Lieutenant Lloyd ran back in one more time to make sure no residents were trapped, ultimately sacrificing his life as the building collapsed and demonstrating heroic actions to protect innocent civilians."

The Evergreen Court Home for Adults was an assisted living facility with 112 residents, converted from a hotel built in 1903. After the fire was brought under control, recovery teams including divers searched through the rubble and water-filled basement of the collapsed massive three-story building for more than 20 hours before finding Lloyd's body.

A resident of the home, Oliver Hueston, 79, also died. Six people have been indicted on criminal charges in connection to the blaze.

Lloyd had been a member of the Spring Valley Fire Department's Columbian Fire Engine Co. No. 1 for 15 years.

Fire company officials on Facebook expressed gratitude to President Biden, Attorney General Merrick Garland and the Department of Justice. "The Medal of Valor is the highest award issued to first responders, and has only been issued 123 times since 2001. Jared is clearly a worthy recipient of this honor and we will do we can to continue to remember not just his sacrifice, but the joy, friendship and brotherhood he brought to all who had the privilege of knowing him."

Chief Ken Conjura.

SEE MORE:

• Spring Valley Fire: Firefighter's Body Recovered
• Rockland Honors Hero Firefighter Jared Lloyd
• Adult Home Fire: Manslaughter, Arson, False Report Charges