The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) on January 29 announced Officer Tevfik Koksaldi, Officer Nellie Carela and Officer Samuel Morgan IV of the Metropolitan Police Department (Washington, D.C.) as the Officers of the Month for December 2025. These officers were selected for their actions during a lifesaving rescue at a residential fire.

On December 23, 2025, Officers Koksaldi, Carela and Morgan responded to a report of a house fire. They arrived on scene before fire personnel and immediately heard a person trapped inside. Without formal fire training, the officers entered the smoke-filled home and located the resident near the entrance, who was trapped under debris. They worked together to remove the individual safely from the hazardous environment. The resident was subsequently transported by ambulance for treatment of smoke inhalation and sustained only minor injuries.

“The quick thinking and decisive actions of these officers exemplify the commitment law enforcement officers demonstrate to protect life under dangerous conditions,” said Bill Alexander, CEO of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. “Their professionalism and teamwork in this critical situation meet the highest standards of duty and service, and we are honored to name them our Officers of the Month for December 2025.”

The Officer of the Month Award Program is sponsored by the Police Unity Tour and recognizes federal, state and local officers who distinguish themselves through exemplary law enforcement service and devotion to duty.

—www.NLEOMF.org—

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund

Established in 1984, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring the fallen, telling the story of American law enforcement and making it safer for those who serve. The first pillar of this mission, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., honors the names of all of the 24,412 (and counting) officers who have died in the line of duty to date throughout U.S. history. Additionally, NLEOMF maintains and publishes comprehensive details on the circumstances surrounding official line-of-duty deaths. The Officer Safety and Wellness pillar uses that data, coupled with best-practice program models, to produce programming directed at solutions to improve survivability and enhance wellness. NLEOMF’s third pillar, the National Law Enforcement Museum (LawEnforcementMuseum.org) is committed to preserving the history of American law enforcement and sharing the experiences of service and sacrifice for generations to come.

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