Officer Chris Davis

Awarded in 2022

On the afternoon of November 11, 2016, Sergeant Chris Davis and Sergeant Kevin Holtry with the Boise Police Department’s Special Operations Unit, responded to a search for a wanted, violent parolee in a Boise neighborhood.  The suspect was wanted in connection with four shootings and a carjacking in the days before.  The suspect had eluded patrol officers in the stolen vehicle before abandoning it and fleeing on foot.  When the Special Operations Unit arrived, officers began to clear the neighborhood.  Sergeant Holtry and Sergeant Davis knew the suspect was armed and dangerous and that he posed a threat to anyone he encountered.  Sergeant Holtry took the lead position, followed by Sergeant Davis, understanding how dangerous it is to be in the lead positions of a search, and that they could be shot.  As they moved to clear a backyard, Sergeant Holtry was ambushed by the suspect, who was crouched down, hiding behind two trash receptacles near a fence.  The suspect began firing and shot Sergeant Holtry five times, immediately paralyzing him below the waist.  Sergeant Davis was shot once.  Sergeant Davis and other members of the Special Operations Unit returned fire, killing the suspect.

Through indomitable courage, complete disregard for his own safety, and profound concern for the safety of others, Sergeant Chris Davis showed great determination and bravery.  Sergeant Chris Davis’ extraordinary heroism and intrepidity, with danger to his own life above and beyond the call of duty, are in the highest traditions of the Boise Police Department and Idaho law enforcement.

Awarded in 2009

On August 5, 2008, Boise Police Officer Chris Davis responded to a Code Three call to "assist Fire". Officer Davis observed the fire, propelled by 50 mile per hour winds, racing toward the Oregon Trail Heights Subdivision in Boise, Idaho. Officer Davis drove to the threatened subdivision where he joined Boise Police Officer Jason Rose. Breathing thick, black smoke, Officers Davis and Rose ran from door to door, evacuating residents from their homes. At one point, flames shot over a house as a huge wave and between houses like a blowtorch aimed directly at Officer Davis. Officer Davis ran for his life as the flames blew around him, melting the shirt on his back. After extinguishing his clothing, Officer Davis pressed on through the flames and chaos. Forty-foot walls of flame continued to force the officers to dive for cover. Propane tanks and water heaters exploded around them. Houses were burning as the officers entered home after home to make sure residents were safely evacuated. Despite the increasing danger, Officers Davis and Rose remained committed to evacuating the residents, ultimately causing the officers to become trapped in a cul-de-sac by a 100-foot wave of swirling flames. Officer Rose drove his patrol car through the barrier, allowing them to escape with their lives. Through indomitable courage, complete disregard for his own safety, and profound concern for the residents of the Oregon Trail Heights Subdivision, Officer Davis' extraordinary heroism and resolute courage, fortitude and endurance at grave danger to his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in the highest tradition of Idaho law enforcement and are a credit upon himself, the Boise Police Department and Idaho law enforcement officers.