It started with the morning paper. Every day, when Joe Sherwood read the news, he was struck by an imbalance he saw in law enforcement reporting. “Anytime there was a bad cop, it would be front-page news,” recalled Sherwood. “They never talked about all the good police work they were doing. I said to my wife one day, ‘Gee, there must be a bunch of good guys out there, too, and we could really do something if we give an award to the ones who fight hate crimes.’” So, the Sherwood family partnered with ADL and in 1996 launched the Helene and Joseph Sherwood Prize for Combating Hate.
Law enforcement and first responders put their lives on the line every day to protect Americans from the threat of extremism, terrorism and hate – and are often the first line of defense. The Anti-Defamation League’s Sherwood Prize recognizes those professionals – officers, first responders, civilian employees, prosecutors, etc. – who are so committed to their work that they make a significant difference in their communities and serve as role models for their departments. We honor those who go above and beyond the call of duty to protect the community from hatred and bigotry.
Award Specifics
The Sherwood Prize is awarded to honorees at an annual luncheon along with their heads of agencies, supervisors, nominators, colleagues and other guests.
How to Nominate
Law Enforcement personnel, units or departments serving areas in Imperial, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Santa Barbara, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo and Ventura Counties are eligible. The online nomination form can be completed using our fillable PDF form. To submit a nomination, please download the nomination form PDF and fill it out using your preferred PDF reader. Please send the completed form and any supporting materials to Ariella Loewenstein, ADL Los Angeles Deputy Regional Director, at [email protected]. Please include "Sherwood Prize Nomination" in the subject line. Deadline for nominations is February 9, 2026.
Selection Process
A distinguished group of police chiefs and sheriffs, along with the Sherwood Family and the ADL staff, select those individuals whose stellar service and commitment should be recognized. The Sherwood Prize Selection Committee is currently chaired by Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes.
Criteria
The award focuses on law enforcement professionals’ (i.e. officers, civilian employees, prosecutors, etc.) activities during the last two calendar years that demonstrate significant achievements in curtailing the prevalence and severity of hate motivated behavior in all parts of our society.
To receive this award, nominee(s) should have demonstrated an overwhelming commitment and contribution towards one or more of the following:
- Working to create a more just and inclusive society by:
- Making meaningful changes within their agencies or departments so that they better reflect the communities they serve.
- Embracing the ideals of community policing, enhancing mutual trust and respect, and breaking down barriers between law enforcement/first responders and marginalized peoples.
- Combatting hate crimes and bigotry proactively and/or reactively by:
- Making an impact on victim(s) of hate crimes and/or bias-motivated incidents.
- Developing education to reduce hate crimes and bias-motivated activity.
- Using innovative approaches to enforce or prosecute hate crime laws.
- Fighting extremism and terrorism by:
- Identifying and countering emerging threats.
- Applying innovative investigative techniques to disrupt and/or prevent domestic extremism and terror attacks.
- Utilizing current laws in inventive ways to prosecute extremists and terrorists.
Important tips to keep in mind:
- Outstanding work alone is not enough. The work must be related to combatting hate in all its forms.
- This award is not a lifetime achievement award, but for extraordinary achievement during a specific time.
- Executive leadership is not eligible for this award.