Governor, hundreds attend 2016 Medal of Valor

CDCR Secretary Scott Kernan welcomed a room full of corrections employees and their families during the 2016 Medal of Valor ceremony.

“We have 60,000 employees, 29,000 of them sworn peace officers, and we’re here today to recognize them for heroic events both in prison and off duty,” Kernan said. “I 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.”

One by one, 125 CDCR employees from parole units, fire camps, training centers, headquarters and 21 correctional institutions accepted awards for deeds ranging from rendering aid during harrowing vehicle crashes and confronting dangerous assailants to saving the lives of inmates and staff during dangerous incidents inside state prisons.

Joining the department in congratulating the honorees was Gov. Jerry Brown, who came to the ceremony at Creekside Christian Church in Elk Grove to thank staff for their service.

“At the end of the day, the strength of a society is not its money, or its elections, much less its elected officials,” said Gov. Jerry Brown, who attended the ceremony. “It’s 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’ve 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.”

Custody, parole, educators, health care staff honored

This year’s honorees included custody staff, parole agents, analysts, educators and medical professionals. Two correctional officers received the Medal of Valor, which is the department’s highest honor, reserved for employees distinguishing themselves by conspicuous bravery or heroism above and beyond the normal demands of correctional service, displaying great courage in the face of immediate life-threatening peril without jeopardizing the lives of others.

Officer fights back when attacked off duty

Correctional Officer Jaymi Appleberry certainly fits the bill. Attacked by an armed man while off duty, Appleberry put her training into lightning-fast action, managing to get her friend away from the assailant and disarm him, even while the gun fired twice. When the attacker tried to run after her, she turned the weapon on him, causing him to flee. Appleberry sustained a head laceration during the attack, but no doubt saved her friend’s life – and her own. Not bad for a correctional officer who has been with the department less than two years.

“It is truly a humbling experience, because I am still a new officer with such little time in,” said Appleberry, who works at California State Prison-Sacramento (SAC). “I am so grateful for the training, support and encouragement given to me by the departmental staff. I thank God for giving me the courage, and I thank the department for giving me the training.”

Officer saves two from crash

Correctional Officer Mike Johnson, a seven-year veteran of the department who has spent his whole career at Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP), was also honored with the Medal of Valor for bravely saving two lives following a fiery crash in Salinas.

On his way home from work in 2015, Johnson came across a two-car crash with one vehicle on fire. Johnson and a Marina police officer rescued a woman from the vehicle by carrying her to safety just before the vehicle became engulfed in flames. Johnson also moved another victim to safety who had been on the ground near the burning vehicle. Both victims survived.

“My training was an immense factor on the positive outcome of the situation,” Johnson said. “As officers, we are trained to respond. One of the more important aspects we are taught is known as the OODA loop. Basically this means observe, orient, develop a plan, act, and the loop aspect is to recycle/reset as the situation changes.”

SVSP Warden Bill Muniz came to the Medal of Valor ceremony to support Johnson and his other employees who received awards. In addition to Johnson, eight SVSP employees were honored with a Unit Citation for risking their own safety to remove an inmate from a burning cell. Muniz pointed out that his staff responds to an average of 1,000 incidents each year, and their experience inside the maximum-security prison prepares them to assist citizens in the community, as well.

“The bravery instilled in staff by having to respond to emergent situations spills over,” Muniz explained. “They’re primed by all of the alarms they respond to, all the dangerous situations. They’re used to running in when others run out.”

While Johnson speaks matter-of-factly about the experience, his daughter Macy is quick to point out the heroism involved, and that not just anybody would be willing to put themselves in harm’s way in order to save a life.

“I feel like it’s not something a lot of people would do or be capable of doing,” she said. “He tore a console out of a car. I’m proud of him. I sum it up this way: This is what my dad is. This is what he does.”

In addition to his actions during the accident, Johnson also worked to raise money for the family to cover their astronomic medical bills. He hopes to work with fellow CDCR employees to establish a nonprofit to raise money for families affected by traumatic events.

Recognizing staff with various awards

In addition to the two Medal of Valor recipients, 123 other CDCR employees were honored at the ceremony in the form of Unit Citations and Gold, Silver and Bronze Stars. The ceremony, which has been sponsored for 12 years by the California Correctional Supervisors Organization, also recognized employees with Distinguished Service Medals for exemplary work conduct, and with Employee Recognition Awards, honoring the department’s Administrator of the Year, Rehabilitation Professional of the Year and Correctional Officer and Supervisor of the Year, among others.

Gazing over the crowd, Kernan reflected on the hard work of the thousands of men and women whose actions day in and day out support the department’s vision of a safer California through correctional excellence.

“Our jobs have never been easy,” he said. “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.”

By Krissi Khokhobashvili, CDCR Public Information Officer II
Photos by Eric Owens, CDCR Staff Photographer
and Terry Thornton, Deputy Press Secretary
Office of Public and Employee Communications

2016 honorees

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 in the lives of others.

• Mike R. Johnson, Correctional Officer, Salinas Valley State Prison
• Jaymi Appleberry, Correctional Officer, California State Prison-Sacramento

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.

• Jesus Blandon, Correctional Officer, California Health Care Facility

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.

• John Edelman, Parole Agent, California Parolee Apprehension Team North
• Kenneth Thomas, Parole Agent,
• Sean Torphy, Parole Agent
• Ben Somera, Parole Agent, Southern Region California Parolee Apprehension Team

• John Mendiboure, Correctional Lieutenant, Avenal State Prison
• Michael Tuntakit, Correctional Lieutenant, Avenal State Prison
• Rafael Diaz, Correctional Officer, Correctional Training Center

• Peter Vanderford, Correctional Officer, Prado Conservation Camp #28
• Mario Gutierrez, Correctional Officer, Southern Camp Warehouse

• Quincy Thacker, Parole Administrator, Southern Region California Parolee Apprehension Team
• Eduardo (Edward) Sanchez, Parole Agent, Southern Region California Parolee Apprehension Team

• Miguel Lopez, Youth Correctional Officer, Ventura Youth Correctional Facility
• Vincent Sillas, Lieutenant Youth Authority, Ventura Youth Correctional Facility
• Steve M. Mello, Correctional Officer, North Kern State Prison

• Darrell Nygren, Correctional Sergeant
• Ronnie Wheeler, Correctional Officer
• Ted Zerr, Correctional Officer, California State Prison-Sacramento
• Aaron Brannen, Correctional Officer
• Christopher Causey, Correctional Officer, California State Prison-Sacramento
• Chad Look, Correctional Officer
• Luis Delatorre, Correctional Officer
• Tyson Manning, Correctional Officer, Wasco State Prison Reception Center
• Daniel Rodriguez, Correctional Officer, San Quentin 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.

• Juan Aguirre, Correctional Officer
• Travon Rodgers, Correctional Officer, Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility
• Gary Gomez, Correctional Officer, Ironwood State Prison
• Raymond Dominguez, Correctional Officer
• Joshua Priester, Correctional Officer, Folsom State Prison
• Derek Kelley, Correctional Officer
• Wayne Anthony, Retired Correctional Lieutenant, Pelican Bay State Prison
• Joseph Jasso, Correctional Food Manager, Chuckawalla Valley State Prison
• Stan Tuck, Correctional Sergeant, Avenal State Prison
• Karla Joseph, Correctional Officer, San Quentin State Prison
• Karen Elliott, Correctional Case Records Administrator, Division of Adult Institutions – Case Records Services
• Gerardo Garcia, Pharmacy Technician, Central California Women’s Facility
• Shawn Dawson, Correctional Officer
• Victor Ruiz, Correctional Officer, Chuckawalla Valley State Prison
• Eric Baker, Correctional Sergeant, California State Prison, Sacramento
• Roy Dickinson, Special Agent, Office of Correctional Safety Fugitive Apprehension Team – Fresno
• Marco Arana, Correctional Officer, California Institution for Women
• Fernando Herrera, Correctional Sergeant, Office of Training and Personal Development/Advanced Learning Institute
• Christian Logan, Correctional Officer, Kern Valley State Prison
• Deric Johnson, Associate Construction Analyst, Facility Planning, Construction & Management
• Doug Sykes, Correctional Officer, High Desert State Prison
• Stacey Emerson, Correctional Officer, High Desert State Prison
• David Church, Correctional Officer
• Robert Gamberg Sr., Correctional Lieutenant
• Craig Phillips, Supervising Registered Nurse III, High Desert 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.

• Fernand Alvarez, Physician & Surgeon
• Denise Reyes, Physician & Surgeon
• George Beatty, Physician & Surgeon
• Clarene David, Physician & Surgeon
• Shannon Garrigan, Physician & Surgeon
• John Grant, Physician & Surgeon
• Doreen Leighton, Physician & Surgeon
• Jenny Espinoza, Physician & Surgeon
• Alison Pachynski, Physician & Surgeon
• Michael Rowe, Physician & Surgeon
• Daniel Smith, Physician & Surgeon
• Rahul Vanjani, Physician & Surgeon
• Lisa Pratt, Chief Physician & Surgeon
• Elena Tootell, Chief Medical Executive
• Ingrid Nelson, Nurse Practitioner
• Peggy Hanna, Nurse PractitionerSan Quentin State Prison
• (This team is also recognized as Healthcare Professional of the Year)
• Servando Ceballos, Correctional Officer
• Danny A. Delgadillo, Correctional Officer
• Brenda Sanchez, Correctional Officer
• Jason A. Sanudo, Correctional Officer
• Daryl L. Schlitz, Correctional Officer
• Carlos A. Vega, Correctional Officer
• Thadd C. Wittmann, Correctional Officer
• Darryl L. Williams, Correctional Sergeant, Salinas Valley State Prison
• David Gonzales, Correctional Sergeant
• Tyrome Johnson, Correctional Officer
• Michelle Stein, Registered Nurse
• Petyo Rashev, Correctional Officer
• Jeremy Prentice, Correctional Lieutenant
• Steven Byers, Correctional Sergeant
• Kathryn Manness, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
• Jason Murillo, Correctional Officer
• Breanna Ortiz, Correctional Officer
• Rolfe Dixon, Correctional Officer, California State Prison-Sacramento
• Leonel Garcia, Correctional Officer
• Brandon Merkelbach, Correctional Officer
• Vincent Mayorga, Correctional Officer
• Mark Garcia, Correctional Sergeant, California Institution for Women
• Henry Arevalo Jr., Correctional Officer
• Ricky Charles, Correctional Officer
• Eric Dixon, Correctional Officer
• Ernest Parker, Correctional Officer
• Robert Perez, Correctional Officer
• Michael Rients, Correctional Officer
• Daniel Vasquez, Correctional Officer
• Claire Garrovillo, Registered Nurse
• William Sullivan, Correctional Sergeant, Kern Valley State Prison
• Dylan Brown, Correctional Officer
• Christopher Causey, Correctional Officer
• Seth Ignasiak, Correctional Officer
• Jeff Leech, Correctional Officer
• Robert Mott, Correctional Officer
• Breanna Ortiz, Correctional Officer
• Matthew Troth, Correctional Officer
• Paul Bettencourt, Correctional Officer, California State Prison-Sacramento

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.

• Charles Wood, Correctional Health Services Administrator II, California State Prison-Sacramento
• David Johns, Parole Agent, Northern Region, Ukiah Parole Unit
• Richard Gonsalves, Parole Agent
• Meshal Kashifalghita, Parole Agent
• Kenneth Thomas, Parole Agent
• Joshua Bateson, Parole Agent II
• Eduardo (Edward) Sanchez, Parole Agent I
• Cecelia Gutierrez, Parole Service Associate
• Elizabeth Ornelas, Parole Service Associate
• Patricia Tellez, Parole Agent II, Southern Region California Parolee Apprehension Team
• Dawn Hershberger, Correctional Officer, California Correctional Center
• Marlaina Dernoncourt, Correctional Captain, California State Prison-Solano

Employee Recognition Awards

• Executive of the Year: Clark Ducart, Warden, Pelican Bay State Prison

• Administrator of the Year: Jason Lopez, Deputy Director, Office of Fiscal Services

• Rehabilitation Professional of the Year: Jacqueline Laudeman, Correctional Counselor III, Division of Rehabilitative Programs

• Division of Adult Parole Operations Professional of the Year: Denise Milano, Chief Deputy Administrator, Correctional Program, Headquarters

• Correctional Officer of the Year: Juan C. Velazquez, Correctional Officer, California Institution for Men

• Correctional Supervisor of the Year: Andres Banuelos, Correctional Lieutenant, California Institution for Men

• Division of Juvenile Justice Professional of the Year: Heather Bowlds, Associate Director, Mental Health

• Healthcare Professional of the Year: Legionnaires’ Disease Team, San Quentin State Prison

Read more stories of staff going above the call.

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