2026 Florida Missing Children's Day (FMCD)
AWARD NOMINATIONS
NOMINATIONS ARE DUE BY FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2026
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is accepting nominations for the 2025-2026 Florida Missing Children's Day ceremony on Monday, September 14, 2026. Florida Missing Children's Day is sponsored by the Florida Missing Children's Day Foundation and supported by the Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse (MEPIC) Advisory Board.
To view the 2025 FMCD award winners, please the Florida Missing Children's Day Foundation's 2025 Award Winners Page to view their pictures and their award summary. You may also view the FDLE press release.
FMCD recognizes citizens, law enforcement officers, and K9 trailing teams for their exemplary efforts when investigating missing persons or preventing child abductions. These men, women, and K9s serve Florida's citizens to ensure their safety and serve our community. They have gone above and beyond in ensuring child safety, working on cases related to children, or enforcing cases related to child homicide or sexual exploitation. Please take a moment to consider individuals who have gone above and beyond for these prestigious awards.
2026 Award Nomination Forms
Nominations may be submitted using any of the forms below. Please refer to each form for specific award criteria.
Deadline: Friday, May 15, 2026
Multi-Use Award Nomination Form
*Allows FDLE and MEPIC Advisory Board to select award category that best exemplifies work completed and/or consider applicants for awards without specific nomination forms. May be completed for all award categories EXCEPT Combatting Human Trafficking Award and Jimmy Ryce K9 Trailing Team of the Year Award.
*Nomination form for Citizen of the Year, School Bus Operator of the Year, and Young Hero Award.
Sworn Law Enforcement Award Nomination Form
*Nomination form for Local Law Enforcement Officer of the Year and State/Federal Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.
Task Force/Team of the Year Award Nomination Form
*Requires at least one sworn law enforcement member to qualify. However, the task force/team may include other sworn members, non-sworn members, civilians, and different agency/organization members that substantially participated on the team.
Combatting Human Trafficking Award Nomination Form
*Please review specific criteria on form before submitting application.
Jimmy Ryce K9 Trailing Team of the Year Award Nomination Form
*Please review specific criteria on form before submitting application.
To submit FMCD nominations, email the completed form as an attachment to FMCD@fdle.state.fl.us. The FMCD general award winners will be selected by the FDLE Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse Advisory Board. The awards will be presented at the FMCD ceremony on Monday, September 14, 2026. For further information, contact FMCD@fdle.state.fl.us or call 850-410-7016.