![\"California-CDCR-Logo\"](\"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/California-CDCR-Logo.png\"){kind=logo}
<\/p>\nSacramento, CA…The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) honored 125 employees today during its 31stannual Medal of Valor Ceremony. The Medal of Valor is earned by employees distinguishing themselves by conspicuous bravery or heroism above and beyond the normal demands of correctional service. It is the highest honor CDCR bestows upon its employees. \u201cAt the end of the day, the strength of a society is not its money, or its elections, much less its elected officials,\u201d said Gov. Jerry Brown, who attended the ceremony. \u201cIt\u2019s the people, their character, their virtue, and how they treat themselves, their families and their neighbors, and who are strengthening our state and country by what they\u2019ve done. They go above and beyond the call of duty and act in a way that is profoundly humane and gives edification and inspiration to everyone else who hears about it or sees it.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
One of this year\u2019s Medal of Valor recipients is California State Prison-Sacramento (SAC) Correctional Officer Jaymi Appleberry. When she and a friend were attacked by an armed assailant, Appleberry\u2019s quick thinking and self-defense training enabled her to not only release her friend from the attacker\u2019s grip, but also to disarm the man even while his gun fired twice. The courage of Appleberry, who suffered a head laceration in the fight, saved her and her roommate from serious injury or even death.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would like to express my gratitude for all the dedicated women and men who serve our department. They exemplify a commitment to selfless service day in and day out,\u201d said CDCR Secretary Scott Kernan. \u201cOur jobs have never been easy. However, we continue meeting the challenges as they arise, sometimes at great personal sacrifice. I am proud to lead our staff as we strive to make the agency a national role model for corrections and rehabilitation.\u201d
\nThis year\u2019s second Medal of Valor recipient is Salinas Valley State Prison Correctional Officer Mike Johnson, who pulled a woman to safety from a burning vehicle just seconds before it became engulfed in flames. Also honored with Silver Stars from the Sacramento area are Correctional Officer Rafael Diaz from Correctional Training Facility in Soledad, who subdued an armed robber, and SAC Correctional Officers Darrell Nygren, Ronnie Wheeler and Ted Zerr, who saved lives of both staff and inmates during an inmate attack.<\/p>\n
Staff members from state prisons, parole offices and 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.
\nA complete list of 2016 award winners follows:<\/p>\n
Medal of Valor
\nThe Medal of Valor is the Department\u2019s 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 in the lives of others.<\/p>\n
Mike R. Johnson, Correctional Officer
\nSalinas Valley State Prison<\/p>\n
Jaymi Appleberry, Correctional Officer
\nCalifornia State Prison-Sacramento<\/p>\n
Gold Star Medal
\nThe 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.<\/p>\n
Jesus Blandon, Correctional Officer
\nIronwood State Prison<\/p>\n
Silver Star Medal
\nThe 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.<\/p>\n
John Edelman, Parole Agent I
\nCalifornia Parolee Apprehension Team North<\/p>\n
Kenneth Thomas, Parole Agent I
\nSean Torphy, Parole Agent I
\nBen Somera, Parole Agent I
\nSouthern Region California Parolee Apprehension Team<\/p>\n
John Mendiboure, Correctional Lieutenant
\nMichael Tuntakit, Correctional Lieutenant
\nAvenal State Prison<\/p>\n
Rafael Diaz, Correctional Officer
\nCorrectional Training Center<\/p>\n
Peter Vanderford, Correctional Officer
\nPrado Conservation Camp #28<\/p>\n
Mario Gutierrez, Correctional Officer
\nSouthern Camp Warehouse<\/p>\n
Quincy Thacker, Parole Administrator
\nSouthern Region California Parolee Apprehension Team<\/p>\n
Eduardo (Edward) Sanchez, Parole Agent I
\nSouthern Region California Parolee Apprehension Team<\/p>\n
Miguel Lopez, Youth Correctional Officer
\nVincent Sillas, Lieutenant Youth Authority
\nVentura Youth Correctional Facility<\/p>\n
Steve M. Mello, Correctional Officer
\nNorth Kern State Prison<\/p>\n
Darrell Nygren, Correctional Sergeant
\nRonnie Wheeler, Correctional Officer
\nTed Zerr, Correctional Officer
\nCalifornia State Prison-Sacramento<\/p>\n
Aaron Brannen, Correctional Officer
\nChristopher Causey, Correctional Officer
\nCalifornia State Prison-Sacramento<\/p>\n
Chad Look, Correctional Officer
\nLuis Delatorre, Correctional Officer
\nTyson Manning, Correctional Officer
\nWasco State Prison Reception Center<\/p>\n
Daniel Rodriguez, Correctional Officer
\nSan Quentin State Prison<\/p>\n
Bronze Star Medal
\nThe 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.<\/p>\n
Juan Aguirre, Correctional Officer
\nTravon Rodgers, Correctional Officer
\nRichard J. Donovan Correctional Facility<\/p>\n
Gary Gomez, Correctional Officer
\nIronwood State Prison<\/p>\n
Raymond Dominguez, Correctional Officer
\nJoshua Priester, Correctional Officer
\nFolsom State Prison<\/p>\n
Derek Kelley, Correctional Officer
\nWayne Anthony, Retired Correctional Lieutenant
\nPelican Bay State Prison<\/p>\n
Joseph Jasso, Correctional Food Manager I
\nChuckawalla Valley State Prison<\/p>\n
Stan Tuck, Correctional Sergeant
\nAvenal State Prison<\/p>\n
Karla Joseph, Correctional Officer
\nSan Quentin State Prison<\/p>\n
Karen Elliott, Correctional Case Records Administrator
\nDivision of Adult Institutions – Case Records Services<\/p>\n
Gerardo Garcia, Pharmacy Technician
\nCentral California Women’s Facility<\/p>\n
Shawn Dawson, Correctional Officer
\nVictor Ruiz, Correctional Officer
\nChuckawalla Valley State Prison<\/p>\n
Eric Baker, Correctional Sergeant
\nCalifornia State Prison, Sacramento<\/p>\n
Roy Dickinson, Special Agent
\nOffice of Correctional Safety Fugitive Apprehension Team \u2013 Fresno<\/p>\n
Marco Arana, Correctional Officer
\nCalifornia Institution for Women<\/p>\n
Fernando Herrera, Correctional Sergeant
\nOffice of Training and Personal Development\/Advanced Learning Institute<\/p>\n
Christian Logan, Correctional Officer
\nKern Valley State Prison<\/p>\n
Deric Johnson, Associate Construction Analyst
\nFacility Planning, Construction & Management<\/p>\n
Doug Sykes, Correctional Officer
\nHigh Desert State Prison<\/p>\n
Stacey Emerson, Correctional Officer
\nHigh Desert State Prison<\/p>\n
David Church, Correctional Officer
\nRobert Gamberg Sr., Correctional Lieutenant
\nCraig Phillips, Supervising Registered Nurse III
\nHigh Desert State Prison<\/p>\n
Unit Citation Medal
\nThe 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.<\/p>\n
Fernand Alvarez, Physician & Surgeon
\nDenise Reyes, Physician & Surgeon
\nGeorge Beatty, Physician & Surgeon
\nClarene David, Physician & Surgeon
\nShannon Garrigan, Physician & Surgeon
\nJohn Grant, Physician & Surgeon
\nDoreen Leighton, Physician & Surgeon
\nJenny Espinoza, Physician & Surgeon
\nAlison Pachynski, Physician & Surgeon
\nMichael Rowe, Physician & Surgeon
\nDaniel Smith, Physician & Surgeon
\nRahul Vanjani, Physician & Surgeon
\nLisa Pratt, Chief Physician & Surgeon
\nElena Tootell, Chief Medical Executive
\nIngrid Nelson, Nurse Practitioner
\nPeggy Hanna, Nurse Practitioner
\nSan Quentin State Prison
\n(This team is also recognized as Healthcare Professional of the Year)<\/p>\n
Servando Ceballos, Correctional Officer
\nDanny A. Delgadillo, Correctional Officer
\nBrenda Sanchez, Correctional Officer
\nJason A. Sanudo, Correctional Officer
\nDaryl L. Schlitz, Correctional Officer
\nCarlos A. Vega, Correctional Officer
\nThadd C. Wittmann, Correctional Officer
\nDarryl L. Williams, Correctional Sergeant
\nSalinas Valley State Prison<\/p>\n
David Gonzales, Correctional Sergeant
\nTyrome Johnson, Correctional Officer
\nMichelle Stein, Registered Nurse
\nPetyo Rashev, Correctional Officer
\nJeremy Prentice, Correctional Lieutenant
\nSteven Byers, Correctional Sergeant
\nKathryn Manness, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
\nJason Murillo, Correctional Officer
\nBreanna Ortiz, Correctional Officer
\nRolfe Dixon, Correctional Officer
\nCalifornia State Prison-Sacramento<\/p>\n
Leonel Garcia, Correctional Officer
\nBrandon Merkelbach, Correctional Officer
\nVincent Mayorga, Correctional Officer
\nMark Garcia, Correctional Sergeant
\nCalifornia Institution for Women<\/p>\n
Henry Arevalo Jr., Correctional Officer
\nRicky Charles, Correctional Officer
\nEric Dixon, Correctional Officer
\nErnest Parker, Correctional Officer
\nRobert Perez, Correctional Officer
\nMichael Rients, Correctional Officer
\nDaniel Vasquez, Correctional Officer
\nClaire Garrovillo, Registered Nurse
\nWilliam Sullivan, Correctional Sergeant
\nKern Valley State Prison<\/p>\n
Dylan Brown,Correctional Officer
\nChristopher Causey, Correctional Officer
\nSeth Ignasiak, Correctional Officer
\nJeff Leech, Correctional Officer
\nRobert Mott, Correctional Officer
\nBreanna Ortiz, Correctional Officer
\nMatthew Troth, Correctional Officer
\nPaul Bettencourt, Correctional Officer
\nCalifornia State Prison-Sacramento<\/p>\n
Distinguished Service Medal
\nThe Distinguished Service Medal is awarded for an employee\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Charles Wood, Correctional Health Services Administrator II
\nCalifornia State Prison-Sacramento<\/p>\n
David Johns, Parole Agent I
\nNorthern Region, Ukiah Parole Unit<\/p>\n
Richard Gonsalves, Parole Agent I
\nMeshal Kashifalghita, Parole Agent I
\nKenneth Thomas, Parole Agent I
\nJoshua Bateson, Parole Agent II
\nEduardo (Edward) Sanchez, Parole Agent I
\nCecelia Gutierrez, Parole Service Associate
\nElizabeth Ornelas, Parole Service Associate
\nPatricia Tellez, Parole Agent II
\nSouthern Region California Parolee Apprehension Team<\/p>\n
Dawn Hershberger, Correctional Officer
\nCalifornia Correctional Center<\/p>\n
Marlaina Dernoncourt, Correctional Captain
\nCalifornia State Prison-Solano<\/p>\n
Employee Recognition Awards<\/p>\n
Executive of the Year
\nClark Ducart, Warden
\nPelican Bay State Prison<\/p>\n
Administrator of the Year
\nJason Lopez, Deputy Director
\nOffice of Fiscal Services<\/p>\n
Rehabilitation Professional of the Year
\nJacqueline Laudeman, Correctional Counselor III
\nDivision of Rehabilitative Programs<\/p>\n
Division of Adult Parole Operations Professional of the Year
\nDenise Milano, Chief Deputy Administrator, Correctional Program
\nHeadquarters<\/p>\n
Correctional Officer of the Year
\nJuan C. Velazquez, Correctional Officer
\nCalifornia Institution for Men<\/p>\n
Correctional Supervisor of the Year
\nAndres Banuelos, Correctional Lieutenant
\nCalifornia Institution for Men<\/p>\n
Division of Juvenile Justice Professional of the Year
\nHeather Bowlds, Associate Director, Mental Health<\/p>\n
Healthcare Professional of the Year
\nLegionnaires’ Disease Team<\/p>\n
San Quentin State Prison<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Sacramento, CA…The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) honored 125 employees today during its 31stannual Medal of Valor Ceremony. The Medal of Valor is earned by employees distinguishing themselves by conspicuous bravery or heroism above and beyond the normal demands of correctional service. It is the highest honor CDCR bestows upon its employees. \u201cAt […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8551,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_cbd_carousel_blocks":"[]","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,20,5,16,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24191","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business","category-featured","category-government","category-law-enforcement","category-news","last_archivepost"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/California-CDCR-Logo.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24191","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=24191"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24191\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/8551"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=24191"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=24191"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=24191"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}