Thirty-six old city hall California state employees were honored June 12 for taking lifesaving action and demonstrating exceptional courage in life-or-death situations. They were recognized at the Governor’s State Employee Medal of Valor Ceremony held at the California Highway Patrol Academy in West Sacramento. The award, given on behalf of Gov. Gavin Newsom, is the state’s highest honor for heroism.
The awardees demonstrated extraordinary bravery across a range of life-threatening situations. A heroic California Highway Patrol Officer was among the honorees recognized for his quick actions under extreme pressure when he sprinted toward an active shooter at an Oroville school in just 92 seconds. By doing so, he ensured that the threat was neutralized and provided lifesaving care to two injured kindergartners. Another award recipient risked his life during a raging wildfire to pull a truck driver from flames, extinguish the fire, and coordinate a helicopter evacuation amid rapidly worsening conditions. Two more heroes shielded children during gunfire at separate youth baseball games, and others rescued civilians from crashes, disasters and violent incidents across the state. Their bravery reflects extraordinary commitment to public service and the safety of all Californians.
Departments represented by the honorees were Corrections and Rehabilitation, Food and Agriculture, Forestry and Fire Protection, Caltrans, CHP, and the Teachers’ Retirement System.
This year’s honorees also included a rare Medal of Valor family legacy. One Caltrans employee – who was recognized for rescuing an elderly woman trapped in her vehicle after it plunged down a steep embankment – is the father of a 2019 Medal of Valor recipient, marking an uncommon, multigenerational tradition of extraordinary public service.
The Governor’s State Employee Medal of Valor Awards
The Governor’s State Employee Medal of Valor Award is the highest honor California bestows on its public servants. The first awards were presented by Governor Edmund G. Brown in 1959. To date, more than 800 medals have been awarded to state employees in all professions, from Analyst to CHP Officer to Water Resources Technician.
The Medal of Valor Award is sponsored by the California Dept. of Human Resources. Each year, state departments nominate employees whose heroic actions are then reviewed by the State Merit Award Board and approved by the Director of CalHR.
The Employees Club of California deeply thanks all honorees for their heroism, and congratulates them on their service.
This year’s 36 honorees, and their employing departments:
California Dept. of Corrections and Rehabilitation:
- Michael Miranda
- Dana Boggs
- Ryan Diangson, Jeremy McGhee, Steve Smith (group award)
- Michael Dilger
- Johnny Huynh, Alesandro Padilla (group award)
- James Jones, Jose Navarro (group award)
- Sandra Mendonca
- Raymond Siordia
- Robert Smalley
California Dept. of Food and Agriculture:
- Eduardo Guerrero
- Felix Salas, Bailey White (group award)
California Dept. of Forestry and Fire Protection:
- John Crater
- Chad Fleming
- Joseph Harris, Gabriel Huck, Roger Serrano-Pulido (group award)
- Clint Marsalek, Carlos Roberto Pacheco, Andrew Perez (group award)
- Michael A. Martinez
California Dept. of Transportation:
- Steve Quinliven
- Anthony Joseph Coscia, Tobin Charles Hook (group award)
California Highway Patrol:
- Brian W. DeNike, Alex M. Salazar
- Jovanniray J. Alvarez, Jeffrey A. Phillips
- Rodney Black
- Brian Hanrahan
- Paul Vue
California State Teachers’ Retirement System:
- John L. Shipley