The Lamplighter Award
for Moral Courage in
Law Enforcement
The Lamplighter Award for Moral Courage in Law Enforcement
The annual Lamplighter Award for Moral Courage in Law Enforcement recognizes and honors a sworn or civilian member of law enforcement who has devoted themselves to upholding justice and the law, even in the face of great adversity.
Awarded on National Whistleblower Day, the recipient is selected based on their acts of moral courage against corruption, injustice, or misconduct in the criminal justice system. The recipient is celebrated for their commitment to justice and integrity in upholding the law.
Presented by The Lamplighter Project, our annual award recognizes the courage of those who have acted selflessly to protect their communities. Lastly, this award serves as a reminder to all law enforcement officers of the importance of standing up for justice, and the lasting impact of their courage.
Past Award Recipients
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2023
Angela Sands
Lincoln Police Department
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"Sergeant Sands brought to public light an appalling history (and current culture) of sexual misconduct, including harassment and rape, at the Lincoln
(Nebraska) Police Department (LPD).
Sands made the courageous decision to circumvent the chief of police
and meet privately with the city’s mayor about LPD’s sexual misconduct issues... inspiring other officers (both
past and present) to come forward and tell their stories of having suffered sexual misconduct.”
2022
Shannon Spalding
Chicago Police Department
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“At great cost to herself, Officer Spalding and her partner Daniel Echeverria exposed the misconduct of former Chicago Police Sgt. Ronald Watts and his corrupt team. The ripple effect of her doing so is still be felt. To date, over 240 individuals have been exonerated for false drug crimes that happened during this era of corruption.”
2021
Javier Esqueda
Joliet Police Department
"Sergeant Esqueda became aware of footage related to the 2020 in-custody death of Eric Lurry, a Black man who was subjected to unconscionable treatment by the Joliet Police Department. Believing that members of his own agency would not be held accountable, Esqueda released footage of the incident to the media.
Through all challenges he has confronted, Sergeant Esqueda’s utmost concern is for Mr. Lurry, stating, “I want justice for the death of Eric Lurry, a man I didn’t know but whose death has changed my life forever.”