Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson presented awards to 38 TSA employees who demonstrated a higher level of excellence at the 2015 DHS Secretary’s Awards Ceremony Nov. 3 in Washington, DC.

The 2015 DHS Secretary’s Awards ceremony recognizes employee accomplishments made from June 1, 2014 through May 31, 2015. TSA employees received special awards for Valor, Meritorious Service, Unity of Effort Award, Exemplary Service, Excellence, and Achievement of Diversity Management.

Four TSA officers from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport received the Secretary’s Award for Valor, the second highest recognition for extraordinary acts. All four individuals contributed to securing the safety and well-being of those around them during an attack by an individual with a machete at the airport security checkpoint earlier this year.

“It was an honor to be recognized among so many outstanding DHS employees,” said Sterling Payne, deputy federal security director at Charlotte Douglas International Airport who received the Secretary’s Award for Outstanding Achievement of Diversity Management. “We all know that the work we do is important, but it was nice be recognized at a higher level,” she said.

Held annually, the ceremony reflects and highlights the extraordinary service and outstanding contributions of dedicated employees who secure the homeland daily. This year, DHS recognized 329 men and women of the Department of Homeland Security for their outstanding individual and team efforts.