CDCR Heroes Honored at 39th Medal of Valor Ceremony

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) honored 16 employees during its 39thannual Medal of Valor Ceremony on Sept. 20, 2024. CDCR awards its employees for distinguishing themselves by conspicuous bravery or heroism above and beyond the normal demands of correctional service. Honorees this year work in a wide variety of disciplines throughout the state. Family members and colleagues attended the ceremony at Richard A. McGee Correctional Training Center (CTC) in Galt.

WHAT THE CDCR SECRETARY IS SAYING: "Today, we honor the brave and selfless deeds of our employees who have courageously risked their own safety to assist others. It's not surprising but it is noteworthy that CDCR employees are prepared to step up when our communities need us," said CDCR Secretary Jeff Macomber. "Today's awards demonstrate that dedication to community by our coworkers extends beyond their duties and uniforms."

Download a soundbite from Secretary Macomber here. 

BIGGER PICTURE: The Medal of Valor, CDCR's highest award, was presented to employees who displayed conspicuous bravery or heroism far beyond the normal demands of correctional service. The employees awarded displayed great courage in the face of immediate life-threatening peril with full knowledge of the risk involved, showed professional judgment and, did not jeopardize operations or the lives of others. This year's recipients were Correctional Sergeant Charles Davis from Pelican Bay State Prison and Thomas Coyle, senior laboratory assistant at Mule Creek State Prison. Fourteen other employees were also recognized for heroic acts and dedicated public service.

Sergeant Charles Davis and Senior Laboratory Assistant Thomas Coyle win Medal of Valor, CDCR's highest honor

Learn more about our MOV recipients here.

• In August 2023, Sergeant Davis displayed exceptional bravery by risking his life to enter a burning house and successfully rescued a young man and three dogs. Without Sergeant Davis's courageous actions, a tragic loss of life would have occurred in the blaze.

• In August 2023, Thomas Coyle demonstrated exceptional bravery and selflessness when he intervened in a four-vehicle accident while returning home from work. While stopped at a traffic light in Sacramento County, Coyle witnessed a truck bursting into flames and two other vehicles colliding with a power pole, causing high-voltage power lines to fall. Without hesitation, Coyle swiftly removed one victim from the vicinity of the fire, ensuring that individual's safety. Additionally, he assisted a CHP officer in freeing a trapped driver from another vehicle surrounded by flames, successfully moving the individual to safety. Coyle's courageous actions undoubtedly played a pivotal role in saving at least two lives during this harrowing incident.

Gold Star Medal

The Gold Star Medal is awarded for heroic deeds under extraordinary circumstances. The employee shall display courage in the face of immediate peril in acting to save the life of another person.

Read more about our Gold Start recipient here.

Rogelio Tienda, Correctional Officer, California State Prison, Corcoran

Silver Star Medal

The Silver Star Medal is awarded for acts of bravery under extraordinary or unusual circumstances. The employee shall display courage in the face of potential peril while saving or attempting to save the life of another person or distinguish him/herself by performing in stressful situations with exceptional tactics or judgement.

Learn more about our Silver Start recipients here.

Jumel Moises, Correctional Sergeant, California State Prison, Centinela, Imperial

Joseph Masterson, Correctional Officer, Sierra Conservation Center, Jamestown

Christopher Castanon, Correctional Officer, Sierra Conservation Center, Jamestown

Jesse Winslow, Correctional Sergeant, Sierra Conservation Center, Jamestown

Bronze Star Medal

The Bronze Star is awarded for saving a life without placing oneself in peril. The employee shall have used proper training and tactics in a professional manner to save, or clearly contribute to saving, the life of another person.

Learn more about our Bronze Star recipients here.

Jose Ortega, Correctional Officer, California State Prison, Corcoran

John Costello, Correctional Officer, California State Prison, Sacramento

Ron Agredano, Parole Agent I, Division of Adult Parole Operations, Stockton

Velina Morales, Associate Governmental Program Analyst, Division of Adult Parole Operations, Sacramento

Ronald Franklin, Correctional Sergeant, Pelican Bay State Prison, Crescent City

Fidencio Ramirez, Transportation Officer, Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison, Corcoran

Imelda Holbrooke, Correctional Officer, Ironwood State Prison, Blythe

Unit Citation

The Unit Citation is awarded for great courage displayed by a departmental unit in the course of conducting an operation in the face of immediate life-threatening circumstances.

Learn more about our Unit Citation recipients here.

Angel Jimenez, Correctional Officer, Mountain Home Conservation Camp #10, Springville

Eric Flores, Camp Commander, Mountain Home Conservation Camp #10, Springville

AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD

It was an honor recognizing our courageous and dedicated employees during the special ceremony. Use the hashtag #CDCRHeroes when sharing highlights from this event on media stories and social media. Share the inspiring stories of your local awardees and tag @cacorrections to showcase their incredible contributions.

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