Elk Grove, CA…The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) honored 68 employees today during its 33rd annual Medal of Valor Ceremony. “Today, we honor heroes who have been placed in situations that call for action that is above and beyond the normal demands of duty,” said acting CDCR Secretary Ralph Diaz. “While facing danger or adversity, many of these men and women have demonstrated split-second decision making, bravery and integrity.”

Sixteen employees present at the Oct. 1, 2017, mass shooting in Las Vegas, were honored with the Medal of Valor, the highest honor CDCR bestows upon its employees. They faced a disaster almost beyond comprehension – the worst mass shooting in modern history in the United States. Also honored was the family of the late Lt. Derrick “Bo” Taylor, whose actions at the shooting saved lives, while he sacrificed his own. CDCR broadcast a special video about the actions of staff and the profound impact that event had on them.

Staff members from state prisons, parole offices and CDCR divisions statewide received awards at Creekside Christian Church of Elk Grove. In addition to the Medal of Valor, CDCR awarded Distinguished Service Medals, Unit Citations and Bronze, Silver and Gold Corrections Stars.

The Medal of Valor Ceremony was broadcast live on the CACorrections Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cacorrections and can be found in the video archives.

A complete list of 2018 award winners follows:

Medal of Valor

The Medal of Valor is the Department’s highest award, earned by employees distinguishing themselves by conspicuous bravery or heroism above and beyond the normal demands of correctional service. The employee shall display great courage in the face of immediate life-threatening peril and with full knowledge of the risk involved. The act should show professional judgment and not jeopardize operations or the lives of others.

Todd Weinke, Correctional Sergeant

California City Correctional Facility

Craig Lee, Correctional Officer

Valley State Prison

Javier Chavez, Correctional Officer

California City Correctional Facility

Kristy Hoyt, Licensed Vocational Nurse

California City Correctional Facility

Eric Olson, Correctional Officer

California City Correctional Facility

Stephanie Ortega, Registered Nurse

Ironwood State Prison

Kelli Madsen, Correctional Lieutenant

Ironwood State Prison

John Dias, Correctional Officer

North Kern State Prison

Albert Powers, Correctional Sergeant

Chuckawalla Valley State Prison

Christopher Pierce, Correctional Captain

Ironwood State Prison

Catherine Ploesch, Correctional Officer

Chuckawalla Valley State Prison

Keith Ploesch, Correctional Officer

Chuckawalla Valley State Prison

Cynthia Powers, Licensed Vocational Nurse

Chuckawalla Valley State Prison

Derrick “Bo” Taylor, Correctional Lieutenant (posthumous)

Ventura Conservation Camp

Jason Peacock, Correctional Officer

California Institution for Men

Greg Caravas, Correctional Lieutenant

Chuckawalla Valley State Prison

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.

Stuart Ingle, Correctional Counselor II

Sierra Conservation Center

Anival Avila, Correctional Officer

Pelican Bay State Prison

Zach Basnett, Correctional Sergeant

Pelican Bay State Prison

Thomas Brewer, Correctional Officer

Pelican Bay State Prison

Sergio Chavez, Correctional Officer

Pelican Bay State Prison

Christopher Corpstein, Correctional Officer

Pelican Bay State Prison

Aaron Featherstone, Correctional Officer

Pelican Bay State Prison

John Franz, Correctional Officer

Pelican Bay State Prison

Joshua Hendrix, Correctional Officer

Pelican Bay State Prison

Paul Hicks Jr., Correctional Officer

Pelican Bay State Prison

Michael Humphrey, Correctional Officer

Pelican Bay State Prison

Zackery McCully, Correctional Officer

Pelican Bay State Prison

Dale McDonald, Correctional Officer

Pelican Bay State Prison

Travis Molina, Correctional Officer

Pelican Bay State Prison

Daniel Mount Jr., Correctional Lieutenant

Pelican Bay State Prison

Aaron Schaad, Correctional Officer

Pelican Bay State Prison

Shawn Tayman, Correctional Officer

Pelican Bay State Prison

Cody Vick, Correctional Sergeant

Pelican Bay State Prison

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.

Kevin Jacobs, Correctional Officer

Deuel Vocational Institution

Chris Peterson, Correctional Officer

Folsom State Prison

David Toman, Supervising Registered Nurse II

Folsom State Prison

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.

Joel M. Herrera, Correctional Sergeant

San Quentin State Prison

Rory Taylor, Correctional Officer

Central California Women’s Facility

Curtiss Ursenbach, Correctional Lieutenant

Avenal State Prison

Henry Moran, Correctional Counselor I

Folsom State Prison

Unit Citation Medal

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.

Trevor Hatley, Parole Agent II, Supervisor

Redding GPS Parole Unit

Brad Putnam, Parole Agent I

Redding GPS Parole Unit

Lance Nystrom, Parole Agent I

Redding GPS Parole Unit

Joseph Eldridge, Parole Agent I

Redding GPS Parole Unit

Matthew Ledbetter, Parole Agent I

Redding GPS Parole Unit

George Checa, Parole Agent I

Redding GPS Parole Unit

Daniel Carroll, Parole Agent I

Red Bluff Parole Unit

Matthew Mauck, Parole Agent I

Redding GPS Parole Unit

Distinguished Service Medal

The Distinguished Service Medal is awarded for an employee’s exemplary work conduct with the Department for a period of months or years, or involvement in a specific assignment of unusual benefit to the Department.

Marty Giannini, Program Administrator

NA Chaderjian Youth Correctional Facility

Jennifer Shaffer, Executive Officer

Board of Parole Hearings

Rhonda Skipper-Dotta, Chief Deputy Commissioner

Board of Parole Hearings

Sandra Maciel, Chief Deputy Commissioner

Board of Parole Hearings

Jennifer Neill, Chief Counsel

Board of Parole Hearings

Cliff Kusaj, Chief Psychologist

Board of Parole Hearings

Brian Kelley, Chief of Investigations

Board of Parole Hearings

Sigifredo Rizo, Parole Agent III, Senior Investigator

Board of Parole Hearings, Offender Investigations Unit

Wendell Howell, Senior Youth Correctional Counselor

OH Close Youth Correctional Facility

Deborah Hysen, Director

Facilities, Planning, Construction & Management

Maureen McLean, Chief Executive Officer (Retired)

Pelican Bay State Prison

Employee Recognition Awards

Executive of the Year

Derrick Marion, Chief

Office of Correctional Safety

Administrator of the Year

Katherine Minnich, Director, Human Resources

Office of Personnel Services

Rehabilitation Professional of the Year

Hillary Iserman, Deputy Superintendent

Office of Correctional Education

Division of Adult Parole Operations Professional of the Year

Vincent Thompson, Parole Administrator I

Southern Region, Los Angeles

Correctional Officer of the Year

Vianey Ford, Correctional Officer

Folsom State Prison

Correctional Supervisor of the Year

Stephen Kura, Correctional Plant Supervisor

Centinela State Prison

Division of Juvenile Justice Professional of the Year

Maria Harper, Superintendent

Ventura Youth Correctional Facility

Healthcare Professional of the Year

Michael Martel, Warden

California Health Care Facility

Raul Recarey, Chief Executive Officer

California Prison Health Care Services / California Health Care Facility

###