STATE CAPITOL -- Gov. Nixon presented the state's highest public safety award to seven people who demonstrated selfless acts of bravery during 2008.

The group includes a pair of Fulton, Missouri, firefighters.

Just after midnight on the last day of February last year, fire ravaged a home on Northwest Street in Fulton. The flames trapped a woman inside. When Fulton firefighters entered the burning home to rescue her, the fire ignited an entire room in what firefighters call a "flash over.”

"They were fortunate enough at the time to be able to shut a door...or get behind a door,” Fulton Fire Captain Jim Elkthunder said. “And that's what saved the firefighters from being more severely injured.”

"In a society that is often too quick to idolize some for the wrong reasons, and where the word hero is applied too casually, these are true heroes in every sense of the word.”

Gov. Nixon today presented Fulton Firefighters Todd Gray and Daniel Berry with Missouri Medals of Valor, given for extraordinary acts of heroism.

"They were able to locate victim through a hand search, and the two firefighters were able to get her out through a bedroom window, and then safely get out themselves,” Missouri Public Safety Director John Britt said.

But not without paying a price, Gray was burned on his neck and back.

"The doctors at the University of Missouri burn center did a wonderful job and they definitely earned their money,” Gray said.

Dan Berry tore ligaments in his ankle after jumping through the window.

Berry was out for a 103 days.

Three Missouri firefighters and four law enforcement officers received medals.

The group included Pulaski County Deputy Donald Hayden, who was shot four times before subduing a gunman who shot of a mobile home park in Dixon.