Targeted News Service
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) today honored dozens of employees during its 28th annual Medal of Valor Ceremony. Seventy-three staff members from institutions, parole and various divisions received awards recognizing high levels of bravery and conduct.
“Every day at CDCR, you find many examples of courage and commitment among our employees,” said CDCR Secretary Cate. “Today, we are honoring the bravery and performance that goes well above the call of duty. I am proud to lead an organization made up of people willing to risk their own personal safety to help someone else.”
Seventeen employees received the Medal of Valor this year. Fifty-six other staff members received the Gold Star, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star and other awards.
One of the recipients of this year’s Medal of Valor, the department’s highest award, was Fire Captain Scott Long of San Quentin State Prison. He responded in the middle of the night to a call for help from two people in the water near the prison. He descended 75 feet down a steep seawall and found the two people in the water another 25 feet below, one of them at imminent risk of drowning. At great risk to himself, Capt. Long swam to the couple and rescued them.
Other Medal of Valor recipients include a parole apprehension team intervening to save the lives of their fellow agents, a High Desert State Prison officer who, despite being attacked himself, saved the life of another inmate, and a team of custody staff at Pelican Bay State Prison who bravely responded to a coordinated attack on officers by several inmates.
For the first time, CDCR added an Employee Recognition Program to the Medal of Valor presentations. Directors in each CDCR division recognized employees in their areas for outstanding work that contributed to the mission of CDCR and the State of California.
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