Editor’s note: This Medal of Valor story originally published in the department’s newsletter in 1987. It is republished here, as originally written, as part of the CDCR Time Capsule series.
Governor George Deukmejian joined YACA Secretary NA Chaderjian and CDC Director Dan McCarthy to pay tribute to 19 corrections employees and one community volunteer at the Employee Recognition Program May 20, 1987, at the State Capitol.
The ceremony featured remarks from the governor and the presentation of the department’s first Medal of Valor awards.
Three women were honored, the first in the two-year history of the program.
Other participants in the ceremony included:
- Deuel Vocational Institution Honor Guard
- California National Guard 59th Army Band
- news anchors Beth Ruyak, Gay Yee and Susan Blake from Sacramento television stations
- and Don Novey, president of California Correctional Peace Officers Association.
First Medal of Valor awards presented to McAuley, Wright
- David McAuley, correctional officer, San Quentin (above left)
- Richard D. Wright, correctional officer, California Medical Facility
The governor presented the first Medals of Valor to McAuley and Wright (shown above).
San Quentin Prison officers David McAuley and Richard D. Wright were performing their normal duties in a housing unit Feb. 22, 1986, when they heard the sounds of a life-and-death struggle.
McAuley and Wright saw an inmate viciously stabbing a prone and defenseless officer. The knife was later found to be nearly one foot long, made from stolen metal stock.
In complete disregard for their own safety, the two officers immediately rushed to the aid of their fallen comrade.
The inmate refused repeated orders to drop the knife and attacked both officers. McAuley, although stabbed in the chest and right shoulder, managed to knock the inmate off-balance. This enabled Wright, despite wounds to the chest and left leg, to disarm the inmate. Both officers then held the inmate on the floor as assistance arrived.
The heroic actions of McAuley and Wright undoubtedly saved the life of the third officer. Their actions also represent the professionalism of California Correctional Officers.
For their deeds, officers McAuley and Wright were presented with the Department’s first Medals of Valor, the highest award.
GOLD STAR
- Sgt. John Peck, Avenal State Prison
Sgt. John Peck, at the time serving as an officer at Deuel Vocational Institution in Tracy, was on routine duty in a housing unit when he responded to an assault on a fellow officer.
An inmate, armed with a crudely made eight-inch knife, jumped the other officer from behind. The inmate quickly stabbed the officer twice in the neck before Peck could reach the scene.
Acting without hesitation, Peck wrested the knife away from the inmate and wrestled him to the floor. According to the superintendent, Peck’s quick action saved the other officer’s life.
SILVER STAR
- Lt. Clarence A. Barto, Folsom State Prison
Lt. Barto was on his way to work when he noticed a brush fire burning out of control in a field next to the road leading to the California Correctional Institution at Tehachapi.
As he stopped to investigate, Barto noticed a small over-turned pick-up truck. At the center of the flames, he could hear a voice screaming for help from under the cab.
Barto drove his own truck through a fence and through the leaping flames. As he reached the upside-down vehicle, Barto used his truck to gently push it off the trapped man. He then helped the man to safety. A local newspaper headline of the account told the story: “Man proves there are still heroes.”
BRONZE STAR
- Donna Adams, Food Services Supervisor, California Medical Facility (CMF)
- Richard Barajas, Correctional Officer (CO), CMF
- Donald Choquette, Parole Agent, San Fernando Valley
- Lloyd M. Hickman, CO, California Institution for Men (CIM)
- Joe Johnson, Sergeant, California Institution for Women (CIW)
- John Kett, CO, CMF
- Jimmy Lowe, CO, Sierra Conservation Center (SCC)
- Peter Rodriquez, CO, CIW
- Ricardo Pena, CO, CIW
- Katey Ringle, Account Clerk, Folsom
- Rivets J. Roberts, CO, SCC
- Stuart J. Ryan, Sergeant, CMF
- Richard Spangle, CO, California Correctional Center in Susanville
Donna Adams, a Food Service Supervisor at Vacaville, performed the Heimlich maneuver to save the life of an inmate choking on a piece of food.
Vacaville Correctional Officer Richard Barajas was driving past a downtown Sacramento park when he saw a man assaulting an elderly citizen. Barajas, who has also been honored by the police department, knocked the assailant down and held him for police.
Parole Agent Donald Choquette, while out in the field near Ventura, saw a highway patrol officer being chokehold by a large male. Choquette stopped, ran to the scene and drew his gun, ordering the man to surrender. The CHP has also commended Choquette.
Correctional Officer Lloyd Hickman, while on duty at the Chino Men’s Prison, saw another officer choking, clutching his throat and turning pale. Hickman performed a Heimlich manuever several times and the officer began breathing again.
Joe Johnson, a sergeant at the Chino Women’s Prison, was at home when he heard screams coming from a neighboring house. He ran outside to see flames shooting from the house. Because of security bars, Johnson had to use a chopping maul to gain entry. Despite the fire, smoke and heat, Johnson was able to pull a teen-aged boy to safety.
Vacaville Officer John Kett, who also serves as a volunteer firefighter, was building a fence at the home of a friend when the man’s wife came outside screaming that their baby was not breathing. Kett worked for five minutes to resuscitate the infant, who doctors later said was nearly a victim of sudden infant death syndrome.
After leaving work at the Sierra Conservation Center near Sonora, Officer Jimmy Lowe stopped at a serious traffic accident. Other passersby directed him to an injured man who had stopped breathing and did not have a heartbeat. Lowe used CPR to revive the man and to keep him breathing until paramedics arrived.
Officers Ricardo Pena and Peter Rodriquez were on duty at the women’s prison when they found an inmate hanging in her cell. Rodriquez immediately lifted her as Pena cut the bed sheet noose. Finding no vital signs, the Officers used CPR to revive her.
Katey Ringle, an Accounting Clerk at Folsom, was on a lunch break when she heard a man had collapsed at a fast-food outlet next door. She rushed to his aid, administering CPR until help arrived. Firefighters credited her with saving the man’s life.
Camp Officer R.J. Roberts was directing an inmate work crew in rural Los Angeles County when a head-on collision between a van and a sports car occurred nearby. She quickly organized the inmates into a rescue team and directed their work through flaming vehicles to save 11 people. The inmates were also recognized.
Vacaville Sgt. Stuart Ryan was confronted with an inmate-well over six feet tall and weighing nearly 300 pounds-who refused to make a bed change. The angry inmate drew a home-made knife and trapped two officers in the back of a dorm. Ryan, remaining calm, talked the inmate into freeing the officers and kept the inmate talking until help arrived
Officer Richard Spangle was inspecting an isolated Northern California work camp when he saw one inmate pick up a large butcher knife and rush toward another inmate. Spangle restrained and disarmed the inmate, acting alone to defuse a volatile situation.
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
- Gilbert Escalera, Parole Agent, San Jose
- Edward LeBlanc, Lieutenant, Correctional Training Facility, Soledad
Gilbert Escalera, now a parole agent in San Jose, began his career 34 years ago as an officer at San Quentin. Escalera promoted to sergeant at the prison, where he also worked as an interpreter, weapons instructor and self-defense teacher.
Escalera shifted to parole in 1980, where he quickly became involved in training, writing legislation and developing complex legal procedures required by court orders.
His expertise and experience in all areas of parole make him a widely consulted source for the entire parole division.
Lt. Edward LeBlanc started his service at Soledad prison 25 years ago. During that time, he has been commended for stopping a riot, subduing a violently psychotic inmate and quelling a massive disturbance following two inmate homicides.
LeBlanc took four months to recover from injuries sustained in one of those incidents. He also gained a tremendous respect from the inmates, founding a prison radio show and sponsoring a chapter of Narcotics Anonymous.
For devoting a total of nearly 60 years of tireless and peerless labor, Parole Agent Gilbert Escalera and Correctional Lt. Edward LeBlanc were awarded Distinguished Service Medals.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
- Rev. Ray Wirth, San Luis Obispo
The Department of Corrections depends on the assistance of many community volunteers to assist in working with inmates. In this light, the department honored Rev. Ray Wirth for his thousands of hours of voluntary service to the inmate chapel at the California Men’s Colony in San Luis Obispo.
Wirth, an official with the United Methodist Church, has spent a decade of spare time ministering to the spiritual needs of inmates. The prison warden estimates Wirth has affected the lives of more than 50,000 inmates in his time and calls him “an invaluable asset.”
Governor: ‘Heroes in the truest sense of the word’
Gov. Deukmejian spoke during the Employee’s Recognition Program May 20 at the State Capitol.
“It is a pleasure to be here today to honor some of the outstanding men and women who serve in California’s Department of Corrections. I would also like to take this opportunity to extend my deep personal gratitude to Daniel McCarthy, who is retiring as director of the Department of Corrections at the end of the month.
“Dan has been director during one of the most demanding periods in the history of the department. He has been a valued and trusted member of this administration. Dan, I want to wish you well in your retirement and in all your future endeavors.
“Ladies and gentlemen, one of my proudest responsibilities as Governor is to help pay tribute to extraordinary Californians. Today, we honor 20 such individuals for actions that went far beyond the call of duty.
“Today is an historic occasion because it marks the first time that the Medal of Valor is being presented in the Department of Corrections. In fact, two individuals will be receiving this award, the highest honor that the department can bestow on its employees.
“The individuals we honor here today are heroes in the truest sense of the word. I have nothing but the highest respect for them, and for all of the brave and dedicated men and women who serve as correctional officers in our state.
“A correctional officer’s life is one of great risk, challenge and sacrifice. Every day, every night, 365 days a year, these brave men and women put their lives on the line to protect us all. We owe them a tremendous debt of gratitude for their commitment and courage.
“The men and women we honor today are a source of great pride for all Californians. We salute you for your skill, courage and determination, often in the face of overwhelming and dangerous odds.
“On behalf of the people of this state, I would like to extend my deepest congratulations to all of you. Each of you, in your own way, has helped to make California a better and safer place to live.
Congratulations and God bless you.”
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