Above the Call, Awards and Appreciation, CDCR Weekender

Governor awards highest honor to CDCR staff

June 20, 2025

With their Gold Stars, from left, are Officer R. Tienda, Sgt. C Davis, and T. Coyle.

Governor Gavin Newsom Friday honored three CDCR staff with the state’s highest award presented to a public safety officer.

Recipients were:

Thomas Coyle, senior laboratory assistant at Mule Creek State Prison
Correctional Sgt. Charles Davis from Pelican Bay State Prison
and Correctional Officer Rogelio Tienda from California State Prison, Corcoran.

They were each awarded the Gold Star at the State Employee Medal of Valor ceremony.

Gov. Newsom praised their efforts displaying great courage in the face of immediate life-threatening peril with full knowledge of the risk involved.

“We celebrate the brave and selfless actions of our employees who have courageously risked their own safety to help others. It is both remarkable and inspiring to recognize that CDCR employees are ready to step forward when our communities call upon us,” said Jeff Macomber, CDCR Secretary. “Today’s awards reflect the unwavering dedication to community that our coworkers embody, transcending their roles and uniforms.”

Receiving the Gold Star is Thomas Coyle at the Governor's Medal of Valor ceremony. — Thomas Coyle

Charles Davis receives the Gold Star at the Governor Medal of Valor ceremony Friday, June 20, 2025. — Thomas Coyle

Thomas Coyle saves two from multi-vehicle accident

Thomas Coyle, Mule Creek State Prison senior laboratory assistant. — Thomas Coyle, senior lab assistant

During a four-vehicle accident, Thomas Coyle heroically saved at least two lives by moving them away from the flames.

On Aug. 28, 2023, Coyle was stopped at a red light on Highway 16 in Sacramento County when a garbage truck collided with a Chevy Silverado, sending it into flames. There were two other vehicles involved, striking a power pole, causing it to lean and ignite.

The CHP officer in front of Coyle initially didn’t see the accident, so Coyle alerted him. The officer blocked the intersection while Coyle ran to assist those in need. Although a couple of drivers had minor injuries, the drivers of the Chevy and garbage truck were in serious danger.

The Chevy driver was badly injured, and with the vehicle engulfed in flames, Coyle pulled him to safety behind the CHP car. While waiting for paramedics, flames threatened the Chevy driver, and Coyle helped move him farther away from danger. He noticed the garbage truck was also on fire and alerted the CHP officer, and together they pulled the driver to safety. As fire personnel arrived, they warned everyone to evacuate due to the leaning power pole. Coyle again risked his life to move the garbage truck driver to a safe location. “I stopped to help because that is what I do,” Coyle said. His bravery saved two lives that day.

Sgt. Charles Davis saves young man from burning house

Pelican Bay State Prison Sgt. Charles Davis. — Sgt. Charles Davis

Displaying exceptional bravery, Sgt. Charles Davis risked his life to enter a burning house and successfully rescue a young man and three dogs.

On Aug. 4, 2023, Davis was driving home after a double shift at Pelican Bay State Prison when he noticed a house on fire. He stopped, knocked on the door, and learned from a neighbor multiple people lived there. Despite being bitten several times by the dogs inside, Davis entered the house and found a young man sleeping in a bedroom. He woke him up and carried him to safety, while also rescuing the three dogs from the burning house. The young man had a severe mental handicap that made him sleep heavily due to medication. This means he likely wouldn’t have escaped on his own. If Davis hadn’t acted, both he and the animals might have perished in the blaze. “It wasn’t something I was looking to do or trying to receive credit for,” said Davis. “I was just trying to do the right thing.”

Officer Rogelio Tienda rescues another officer from burning car

Rogelio Tienda, correctional officer at CSP-Corcoran, with the Governor's Medal of Valor award. — Correctional Officer Rogelio Tienda

Officer Rogelio Tienda came upon the horrific scene and acted quickly to break a window and pull the victim to safety.

Tienda displayed remarkable bravery by rescuing another officer from a burning car after he was involved in a hit-and-run collision in May 2023.

While driving home from Corcoran State Prison, Alejandro Vasquez was struck head-on, rendering him unconscious and igniting his car. Upon discovering the scene, Tienda quickly responded, retrieving a crowbar from his trunk to break the window and pull Vasquez to safety.

He moved Vasquez away from the flames and stayed with him until help arrived. The California Highway Patrol later apprehended a suspect for DUI and hit and run. Tienda’s swift and courageous actions were truly heroic.

Coyle, Davis and Tienda were recognized for their bravery at CDCR’s Medal of Valor Ceremony in 2024.

>> Read the CDCR press release on this year’s State Employee Medal of Valor ceremony.