{"id":66758,"date":"2018-09-14T17:09:53","date_gmt":"2018-09-15T00:09:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/69.46.6.243\/?p=66758"},"modified":"2018-09-14T17:13:12","modified_gmt":"2018-09-15T00:13:12","slug":"cdcr-honors-staff-at-33rd-annual-medal-of-valor-ceremony","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/?p=66758","title":{"rendered":"CDCR Honors Staff at 33rd Annual Medal of Valor Ceremony"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Elk Grove, CA&#8230;The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) honored 68 employees today during its 33rd annual Medal of Valor Ceremony.  \u201cToday, we honor heroes who have been placed in situations that call for action that is above and beyond the normal demands of duty,\u201d said acting CDCR Secretary Ralph Diaz. \u201cWhile facing danger or adversity, many of these men and women have demonstrated split-second decision making, bravery and integrity.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/41695158_10155930027297061_7880723427143712768_n.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-66759\" srcset=\"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/41695158_10155930027297061_7880723427143712768_n.jpg 640w, https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/41695158_10155930027297061_7880723427143712768_n-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/41695158_10155930027297061_7880723427143712768_n-570x380.jpg 570w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/plugins\/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fcacorrections%2Fvideos%2F1776217445839431%2F&#038;show_text=0&#038;width=640\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" style=\"border:none;overflow:hidden\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowTransparency=\"true\" allowFullScreen=\"true\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/plugins\/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fcacorrections%2Fvideos%2F660271774344615%2F&#038;show_text=0&#038;width=640\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" style=\"border:none;overflow:hidden\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowTransparency=\"true\" allowFullScreen=\"true\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>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 \u2013 the worst mass shooting in modern history in the United States. Also honored was the family of the late Lt. Derrick \u201cBo\u201d 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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>A complete list of 2018 award winners follows:<\/p>\n<p>Medal of Valor<\/p>\n<p>The 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 the lives of others.<\/p>\n<p>Todd Weinke, Correctional Sergeant<\/p>\n<p>California City Correctional Facility<\/p>\n<p>Craig Lee, Correctional Officer<\/p>\n<p>Valley State Prison<\/p>\n<p>Javier Chavez, Correctional Officer<\/p>\n<p>California City Correctional Facility<\/p>\n<p>Kristy Hoyt, Licensed Vocational Nurse<\/p>\n<p>California City Correctional Facility<\/p>\n<p>Eric Olson, Correctional Officer<\/p>\n<p>California City Correctional Facility<\/p>\n<p>Stephanie Ortega, Registered Nurse<\/p>\n<p>Ironwood State Prison<\/p>\n<p>Kelli Madsen, Correctional Lieutenant<\/p>\n<p>Ironwood State Prison<\/p>\n<p>John Dias, Correctional Officer<\/p>\n<p>North Kern State Prison<\/p>\n<p>Albert Powers, Correctional Sergeant<\/p>\n<p>Chuckawalla Valley State Prison<\/p>\n<p>Christopher Pierce, Correctional Captain<\/p>\n<p>Ironwood State Prison<\/p>\n<p>Catherine Ploesch, Correctional Officer<\/p>\n<p>Chuckawalla Valley State Prison<\/p>\n<p>Keith Ploesch, Correctional Officer<\/p>\n<p>Chuckawalla Valley State Prison<\/p>\n<p>Cynthia Powers, Licensed Vocational Nurse<\/p>\n<p>Chuckawalla Valley State Prison<\/p>\n<p>Derrick \u201cBo\u201d Taylor, Correctional Lieutenant (posthumous)<\/p>\n<p>Ventura Conservation Camp<\/p>\n<p>Jason Peacock, Correctional Officer<\/p>\n<p>California Institution for Men<\/p>\n<p>Greg Caravas, Correctional Lieutenant<\/p>\n<p>Chuckawalla Valley State Prison<\/p>\n<p>Gold Star Medal<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>Stuart Ingle, Correctional Counselor II<\/p>\n<p>Sierra Conservation Center<\/p>\n<p>Anival Avila, Correctional Officer<\/p>\n<p>Pelican Bay State Prison<\/p>\n<p>Zach Basnett, Correctional Sergeant<\/p>\n<p>Pelican Bay State Prison<\/p>\n<p>Thomas Brewer, Correctional Officer<\/p>\n<p>Pelican Bay State Prison<\/p>\n<p>Sergio Chavez, Correctional Officer<\/p>\n<p>Pelican Bay State Prison<\/p>\n<p>Christopher Corpstein, Correctional Officer<\/p>\n<p>Pelican Bay State Prison<\/p>\n<p>Aaron Featherstone, Correctional Officer<\/p>\n<p>Pelican Bay State Prison<\/p>\n<p>John Franz, Correctional Officer<\/p>\n<p>Pelican Bay State Prison<\/p>\n<p>Joshua Hendrix, Correctional Officer<\/p>\n<p>Pelican Bay State Prison<\/p>\n<p>Paul Hicks Jr., Correctional Officer<\/p>\n<p>Pelican Bay State Prison<\/p>\n<p>Michael Humphrey, Correctional Officer<\/p>\n<p>Pelican Bay State Prison<\/p>\n<p>Zackery McCully, Correctional Officer<\/p>\n<p>Pelican Bay State Prison<\/p>\n<p>Dale McDonald, Correctional Officer<\/p>\n<p>Pelican Bay State Prison<\/p>\n<p>Travis Molina, Correctional Officer<\/p>\n<p>Pelican Bay State Prison<\/p>\n<p>Daniel Mount Jr., Correctional Lieutenant<\/p>\n<p>Pelican Bay State Prison<\/p>\n<p>Aaron Schaad, Correctional Officer<\/p>\n<p>Pelican Bay State Prison<\/p>\n<p>Shawn Tayman, Correctional Officer<\/p>\n<p>Pelican Bay State Prison<\/p>\n<p>Cody Vick, Correctional Sergeant<\/p>\n<p>Pelican Bay State Prison<\/p>\n<p>Silver Star Medal<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>Kevin Jacobs, Correctional Officer<\/p>\n<p>Deuel Vocational Institution<\/p>\n<p>Chris Peterson, Correctional Officer<\/p>\n<p>Folsom State Prison<\/p>\n<p>David Toman, Supervising Registered Nurse II<\/p>\n<p>Folsom State Prison<\/p>\n<p>Bronze Star Medal<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>Joel M. Herrera, Correctional Sergeant<\/p>\n<p>San Quentin State Prison<\/p>\n<p>Rory Taylor, Correctional Officer<\/p>\n<p>Central California Women\u2019s Facility<\/p>\n<p>Curtiss Ursenbach, Correctional Lieutenant<\/p>\n<p>Avenal State Prison<\/p>\n<p>Henry Moran, Correctional Counselor I<\/p>\n<p>Folsom State Prison<\/p>\n<p>Unit Citation Medal<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>Trevor Hatley, Parole Agent II, Supervisor<\/p>\n<p>Redding GPS Parole Unit<\/p>\n<p>Brad Putnam, Parole Agent I<\/p>\n<p>Redding GPS Parole Unit<\/p>\n<p>Lance Nystrom, Parole Agent I<\/p>\n<p>Redding GPS Parole Unit<\/p>\n<p>Joseph Eldridge, Parole Agent I<\/p>\n<p>Redding GPS Parole Unit<\/p>\n<p>Matthew Ledbetter, Parole Agent I<\/p>\n<p>Redding GPS Parole Unit<\/p>\n<p>George Checa, Parole Agent I<\/p>\n<p>Redding GPS Parole Unit<\/p>\n<p>Daniel Carroll, Parole Agent I<\/p>\n<p>Red Bluff Parole Unit<\/p>\n<p>Matthew Mauck, Parole Agent I<\/p>\n<p>Redding GPS Parole Unit<\/p>\n<p>Distinguished Service Medal<\/p>\n<p>The 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<p>Marty Giannini, Program Administrator<\/p>\n<p>NA Chaderjian Youth Correctional Facility<\/p>\n<p>Jennifer Shaffer, Executive Officer<\/p>\n<p>Board of Parole Hearings<\/p>\n<p>Rhonda Skipper-Dotta, Chief Deputy Commissioner<\/p>\n<p>Board of Parole Hearings<\/p>\n<p>Sandra Maciel, Chief Deputy Commissioner<\/p>\n<p>Board of Parole Hearings<\/p>\n<p>Jennifer Neill, Chief Counsel<\/p>\n<p>Board of Parole Hearings<\/p>\n<p>Cliff Kusaj, Chief Psychologist<\/p>\n<p>Board of Parole Hearings<\/p>\n<p>Brian Kelley, Chief of Investigations<\/p>\n<p>Board of Parole Hearings<\/p>\n<p>Sigifredo Rizo, Parole Agent III, Senior Investigator<\/p>\n<p>Board of Parole Hearings, Offender Investigations Unit<\/p>\n<p>Wendell Howell, Senior Youth Correctional Counselor<\/p>\n<p>OH Close Youth Correctional Facility<\/p>\n<p>Deborah Hysen, Director<\/p>\n<p>Facilities, Planning, Construction &#038; Management<\/p>\n<p>Maureen McLean, Chief Executive Officer (Retired)<\/p>\n<p>Pelican Bay State Prison<\/p>\n<p>Employee Recognition Awards<\/p>\n<p>Executive of the Year<\/p>\n<p>Derrick Marion, Chief<\/p>\n<p>Office of Correctional Safety<\/p>\n<p>Administrator of the Year<\/p>\n<p>Katherine Minnich, Director, Human Resources<\/p>\n<p>Office of Personnel Services<\/p>\n<p>Rehabilitation Professional of the Year<\/p>\n<p>Hillary Iserman, Deputy Superintendent<\/p>\n<p>Office of Correctional Education<\/p>\n<p>Division of Adult Parole Operations Professional of the Year<\/p>\n<p>Vincent Thompson, Parole Administrator I<\/p>\n<p>Southern Region, Los Angeles<\/p>\n<p>Correctional Officer of the Year<\/p>\n<p>Vianey Ford, Correctional Officer<\/p>\n<p>Folsom State Prison<\/p>\n<p>Correctional Supervisor of the Year<\/p>\n<p>Stephen Kura, Correctional Plant Supervisor<\/p>\n<p>Centinela State Prison<\/p>\n<p>Division of Juvenile Justice Professional of the Year<\/p>\n<p>Maria Harper, Superintendent<\/p>\n<p>Ventura Youth Correctional Facility<\/p>\n<p>Healthcare Professional of the Year<\/p>\n<p>Michael Martel, Warden<\/p>\n<p>California Health Care Facility<\/p>\n<p>Raul Recarey, Chief Executive Officer<\/p>\n<p>California Prison Health Care Services \/ California Health Care Facility<\/p>\n<p>###<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Elk Grove, CA&#8230;The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) honored 68 employees today during its 33rd annual Medal of Valor Ceremony. \u201cToday, we honor heroes who have been placed in situations that call for action that is above and beyond the normal demands of duty,\u201d said acting CDCR Secretary Ralph Diaz. \u201cWhile facing danger [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":66759,"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":[20,5,16,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-66758","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-government","category-law-enforcement","category-news","last_archivepost"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/41695158_10155930027297061_7880723427143712768_n.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66758","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=66758"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66758\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/66759"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=66758"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=66758"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=66758"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}