The Axon Awards recognize excellence towards building a sustainable future for public safety. We are honored to share our 2025 Axon Award Winners — individuals whose courage and leadership inspire us all to make the world a safer place.

2025 Visionary Leadership Award

The Visionary Leadership Award, inspired by Dr. Richard Carmona, recognizes one public safety leader annually who has positively impacted their agency or community through thoughtful leadership. Our 2025 Visionary Leadership Award winner is Chief Ana Lalley of the Elgin Police Department in Illinois.

Chief Ana Lalley, Elgin Police Department (Illinois)

When Ana Lalley was appointed Chief of Police of the Elgin Police Department in 2018, the agency was navigating the aftermath of an officer-involved shooting. During a period of public scrutiny, Chief Lalley stepped up to the plate ready to lead Elgin PD with integrity, transparency, and an unwavering commitment to the Elgin community.

Under her leadership, Elgin PD has become a national model for progressive policing. From implementing a co-responder mental health unit and ICAT training to launching a public transparency portal and youth empowerment initiatives, Chief Lalley’s tenure reflects a deep investment in both her officers and her community.

Throughout her time as Chief of Police, she has remained consistent in her commitment to community connection—whether walking alongside protesters during civil unrest or establishing a Civilian Review Board to amplify citizen voices. Chief Lalley’s work has redefined the relationship between Elgin PD and the Elgin community, and is a testament to what 21st-century policing can look like: collaborative, compassionate, and built on trust.

To launching a public transparency portal and youth empowerment initiatives, Chief Lalley’s tenure reflects a deep investment in both her officers and her community. Her collaborative approach—whether walking with protestors during civil unrest or building a Civilian Review Board—embodies a reimagined vision of public safety that places trust and compassion at its core.

Chief Lalley’s story is not only one of resilience, but of purpose-driven leadership that has redefined the relationship between law enforcement and the community it serves.

2025 RISE Awards

The RISE Awards celebrate and reward first responders going above and beyond, accomplishing exemplary actions and demonstrating extraordinary courage, ingenuity and compassion. This year, four law enforcement officers from across the country have been honored as 2025 RISE Award winners.

Detective Corporal Daniel Rose and Officer David Chapman, Warren Police Department (Michigan)

A routine morning in Warren, Michigan, turned into a life-or-death situation when Detective Corporal Rose and Officer Chapman witnessed an 8-year-old boy being electrocuted by a live power line. Without hesitation, they rushed to the child’s aid, quickly pulling him away from the power line and transporting him to the hospital in their patrol car. Their swift, selfless actions saved the child’s life.

Sergeant Steve Ross, Everett Police Department (Washington)

What began as a routine call quickly escalated when Sergeant Steve Ross of the Everett Police Department in Washington arrived at the scene of an accident and one of the vehicles caught fire with the unconscious driver inside. Without a second thought, Sergeant Ross broke the car’s window, suffering burns and other injuries as he pulled the man to safety. But his heroism didn’t stop there—when the empty, burning vehicle then began rolling toward a busy intersection, Sergeant Ross again risked his own safety to guide the runaway vehicle off the roadway.

Officer Ismael Perez, New Mexico State Police (New Mexico)

When Officer Ismael Perez stopped to assist a vehicle rushing to the emergency room in Deming, New Mexico, he found two parents with an unresponsive newborn still attached to the umbilical cord inside. Officer Perez jumped into action to clear the baby’s airway.

2025 Jack Cover "Save of the Year"

The Jack Cover Medal of Heroism is given out on an ongoing basis to recognize public safety professionals who use a TASER energy weapon to save a life through less-lethal force. Each year, one public safety professional who has earned the Jack Cover Medal of Heroism story is bestowed with the title: “Save of the Year.” The 2025 Jack Cover “Save of the Year” was awarded to Officer Ali Winterbauer of the Lincoln Police Department in Nebraska.

Officer Alessandra Winterbauer, Lincoln Police Department (Nebraska)

Tense moments demand clear-headed action. When Officer Ali Winterbauer responded to a call involving an individual experiencing a mental health crisis, she quickly found herself in a life-threatening situation. A distressed individual armed with a butcher knife charged Officer Winterbauer and other responding officers. Demonstrating outstanding composure and tactical precision, she deployed her TASER 10, neutralizing the threat without lethal force.

Our 2025 Axon Award winners remind us that public safety is more than a profession—it’s a calling to act with courage, lead with vision and show compassion during the moments that matter most. Whether building bridges between communities and law enforcement or making split-second decisions that save lives, these individuals exemplify what it means to be a Force for Good.

We are honored to celebrate their achievements and share their stories. When we lift up the brave, compassionate heroes who keep our communities safe, we move closer to a safer future for all.

To learn more about the Axon Awards Program, visit axon.com/awards.