The officers received their medals in early April in a private ceremony with their families at Paxson’s home.

Paxson and Clements noted that the University continues to express its deep appreciation for the many police and emergency personnel from Providence and other agencies across the region who responded on Dec. 13. In the coming months, Brown plans to recognize first responders across the state through events that include a private reception and a Brown-sponsored WaterFire on Saturday, Aug. 1.

The full letter about the Medal of Valor is published on the Brown.edu website and included below.

*****

Awarding the Medal of Valor following Dec. 13

The strength of a community is often reflected in the actions of those who step forward to help in the most challenging times. On December 13, 2025, seven officers in the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Management were the first to respond to the senseless attack on our campus with extraordinary bravery and professionalism. It is our distinct honor to announce that these officers have received the Medal of Valor for their selfless efforts as first responders during the mass shooting.

The seven officers — five sworn police and two communication officers — acted with profound courage and decisiveness. The Medal of Valor is the highest honor the University can bestow for patrol duties and is a testament to their selfless actions in the face of grave peril.

Five of the individuals being recognized were the first officers on scene, arriving within minutes of the initial call and moving toward danger to ensure the safety of our community. Not once hesitating in fulfilling their sworn oath of duty, they put our community’s safety ahead of their own. Amid great uncertainty about the ongoing threat, these officers secured the scene, administered care and coordinated immediate search efforts to seek to locate the shooter.

Two of the individuals being recognized are communication control officers who received the initial calls reporting the attack. In the midst of a highly charged moment of great tragedy, they acted with precision and clarity of purpose to immediately dispatch officers. They coordinated a mass response among multiple police agencies with the goal of securing the scene and saving lives.

In bestowing the Medal of Valor, we have recognized all of these seven officers for their exceptional heroism:

• Joseph Balasco, Campus Police Officer ​
• Joshua Burnett, Communication Control Officer
• Joshua Geller, Communication Control Officer
• Brendan McGrath, Sergeant
• Glenn Morgan, Campus Police Officer
• Brian O’Hara, Sergeant
• John Remka, Campus Police Officer

This is the first time in recent memory that the Medal of Valor has been awarded to any Brown officer. Authorized under the department’s general orders, the Medal of Valor is awarded following the unanimous recommendation of the department’s Commendation Board. The award is reserved exclusively for acts performed with exceptional bravery beyond the call of duty in life-threatening situations.

The seven officers received their medals earlier this month in a private ceremony with their families at President Paxson’s home. The officers’ families were recognized for their sacrifices and support during this challenging time for our community.

We are deeply grateful for the service of these seven officers and inspired by the example of selflessness they set for all of us. We also continue to express our deep appreciation for all the DPSEM officers and the many police and emergency personnel across the region who responded on December 13. In the coming months, we plan to recognize first responders across the state through events that include a private reception and a Brown-sponsored WaterFire on Saturday, August 1. More information will be forthcoming.

As we move forward together in healing and recovery, we do so with confidence in the strength of our community and with appreciation for all those who supported and cared for our community in a time of great need.

Sincerely,

Christina H. Paxson
President

Hugh T. Clements, Jr.
Vice President for Public Safety and Emergency Management
Chief of Police