1989 Medal of Valor ceremony honors 20

During the Medal of Valor ceremony held May 15, 1989, at the State Capitol, state and corrections officials gathered to honor 20 staff during the Employee Recognition Program.

Governor George Deukmejian joined Youth and Adult Correctional Agency Secretary Joe Sandoval, Corrections Director James Rowland and Chief Deputy Director James Gomez to pay tribute to the 20 staff members.

Posthumous Medal of Valor awarded to Officer Lyle Herman

The ceremony featured a keynote address by Governor Deukmejian, followed by a tribute to Correctional Officer Lyle Herman, Jr., of Folsom Prison, who was awarded the department’s Medal of Valor.

Herman died as a result of injuries received as he went to aid a neighbor who was being assaulted. The medal was presented to Herman’s widow, Patricia.

The Correctional Officer of the Year award was presented to (now Sgt.) Michael Evans, California Correctional Institution, Tehachapi. The Correctional Supervisor of the Year award went to Lt. Larry Olesen, California Correctional Center, Susanville. Lt. Olesen is the commander at the Chamberlain Creek Conservation Camp. Lt. James Quen, San Quentin Prison, one of 12 recipients of the Bronze Star, is the first Asian to receive a Corrections heroism award.

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400 attend ceremony

YACA Undersecretary Craig Brown welcomed a crowd of 400 to the ceremony held at the traditional location, the steps of the State Capitol.

Father D. Keaney, the Catholic Chaplain from Folsom Prison, paused during the invocation for a moment of silence honoring those who have given their lives in the name of public safety.

The Folsom Honor Guard, under the direction of Lt. Steve Dizmon, flawlessly performed intricate movements as they presented the Colors.

Correctional Counselor Velda Dobson, San Quentin State Prison, sang a stirring rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner.

Director Rowland said corrections is proud to recognize and honor the bravery of the men and women of Corrections. He praised the dedication and commitment shown every day by all Corrections employees.

Agency Secretary Sandoval said, “Corrections plays a vital role in public safety in California, out of the public eye and unfortunately, all too often, out of the public’s mind.”

Sandoval continued, “Many of our heroes helped save the lives of citizens involved in accidents that occurred nowhere near a prison site–proof that our employees have a positive affect on the communities where they live.”

Governor Deukmejian paid a special tribute to Officer Herman, who “tragically…made the ultimate sacrifice in the noble cause of making this state a safer place.”

The Governor saluted all corrections employees: “They have helped to insure greater protection and safety for all of the residents of California.”

The Governor introduced Sacramento news anchorwomen Margaret Pelley, Sue Pearson-Atkinson and Jennifer Smith, who described the varied heroic acts as the awards were presented.

Prior to the ceremony, the California Correctional Peace Officers Association hosted a luncheon in honor of the award recipients.

MEDAL OF VALOR

Correctional Officer Lyle Herman, Jr., Folsom Prison

While off duty, Correctional Officer Lyle Herman attempted to aid a neighbor who was being attacked.

While his intervention saved the neighbor from serious injury, the attacker overpowered Herman, hitting and kicking him in the head until he was unconscious. Herman was transported to the hospital where he was treated and released. For days after the attack, he complained of head and neck pains. Nine days later, he collapsed and died from injuries he received in the beating.

The attacker was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to four years.

Officer Herman’s disregard for his own personal safety to aid a neighbor is a strong reflection of his courage and bravery. The Department of Corrections Medal of Valor was presented to his wife, Patricia Herman.

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CORRECTIONS GOLD STAR

Correctional Counselor Richard Coffin, Sierra Conservation Center

Correctional Counselor Richard Coffin was notified that two emotionally disturbed Corrections employees were at their shared home with loaded firearms, threatening suicide. Coffin called the residence and talked to the employees for several hours. He persuaded the employees to unload their weapons and allow him to enter the residence. Coffin spent several hours at the residence, took control of the weapons and convinced the employees to seek professional help.

CORRECTIONS SILVER STAR

Parole Agent Gerald Finchum, Parole Region I

Parole Agent Gerald Finchum was the first to arrive on the scene of an accident involving a motorhome and a trailer truck. The truck had hit the motor-home broadside, ejecting the three occupants. The fuel tank on the motorhome ruptured, engulfing the vehicle in flames. One of the occupants, only a few feet away from the motorhome, was exposed to intense heat. Finchum and another motorist, using a metal sign as a heat barrier, managed to pull the victim to safety. Agent Finchum stayed in the area, providing assistance to the victim until an ambulance arrived a half-hour later. The victim had suffered burns over 90 percent of her body. Unfortunately, she died the next day.

Correctional Officer Ardena Hollins, California Institution for Women, Frontera

Correctional Officer Ardena Hollins observed a Riverside Police Department Officer involved in a violent altercation with an adult female who was wanted on suspicion of two felonies. The officer was in need of assistance during the altercation and Hollins helped subdue the suspect. Officer Hollins’ quick actions helped prevent serious injury to both the officer and the suspect.

CORRECTIONS BRONZE STAR

Correctional Officer Richard Argo, Folsom State Prison

During an evening meal, Correctional Officer Richard Argo observed an inmate choking. Argo immediately responded and successfully applied the Heimlich maneuver to dislodge food caught in the man’s throat. His rapid response to the situation prevented loss of life or serious injury.

Correctional Officer Julie Boitano, California Correctional Center, Susanville

Correctional Officer Julie Boitano, returning home from her shift, was the first person to arrive on the scene of a serious accident. The passenger in the vehicle was very badly injured. Officer Boitano crawled through the broken rear window of the vehicle and was able to stem the flow of blood and stabilize the head and neck of the injured man. She then assisted paramedics upon their arrival. The injured man was hospitalized for several months in an Intensive Care Unit and has recovered.

Officers Evans and Williams

• Correctional Officer Michael Evans, California Correctional Institution, Tehachapi
• Correctional Officer Thomas Williams, California Correctional Center, Susanville

During a training exercise, a correctional sergeant began to rappel from a 42-foot tower without a brake person.

As he began to fall, Correctional Officer (now Sgt.) Michael Evans reacted immediately by grasping the speeding rope with his bare hands. Correctional Officer Thomas Williams reacted a split second later and grasped the rope with his gloved hands.

The sergeant’s fall was slowed by these quick actions, allowing him to hit the ground at less than full speed. After being treated for injuries at the local hospital, the sergeant was released the same day.

Evans suffered third degree burns on his hands and Williams suffered second degree burns on his hands as a result of their valiant efforts.

Firefighter Greg Harnage, Mule Creek State Prison, Ione

Firefighter Greg Harnage was driving down the street when an automobile two cars ahead of his struck a 12-year-old boy riding a bicycle. The injured boy was lying in the street, bleeding from the mouth. Harnage immediately provided first aid. He then solely managed the boy’s major medical needs until paramedics arrived. After the paramedics arrived, he continued to assist until the boy was transported by helicopter to the hospital.

Parole Agent Robert Hodge, and Parole Administrator Frank Marino, Parole Region III

A fire started in a facility housing 84 indigent parolees. Parole Agent Robert Hodge, assigned to the building, notified Parole Administrator Frank Marino, then began evacuating the residents. Hodge had to kick in locked doors to account for many of the residents. Marino arrived to assist Hodge in removing all the residents, then helped secure the building.

Correctional Officer Kevin Keyes, California Correctional Institution, Teachapi

While driving to work in dense fog, Correctional Officer Kevin Keyes witnessed a small truck go out of control, cross the freeway into oncoming traffic and hit the side of a mountain. Keyes stopped his vehicle, ran across the freeway, flagged down a passing truck and used the radio to call for assistance. He found the occupant of the vehicle, a fellow correctional officer, unconscious and bleeding from the nose and head. He pried open the door of the vehicle and used first aid measures to stop the flow of blood.

Keyes took measures to prevent shock and, as the victim became semi-conscious, gave him moral support for 45 minutes until emergency help arrived.

Correctional Lt. James Quen, San Quentin State Prison

While driving to work, Correctional Lt. James Quen observed a vehicle roll over on the road in front of him. He stopped his car to assist.

As he approached the vehicle, he observed that the occupants were trapped, had visible injuries and were bleeding.

After several minutes, he was able to free three of the trapped occupants, but felt that due to the nature of the injuries, it would be safer to leave the fourth person in the vehicle until medical help arrived.

Quen attended to the medical needs of the injured, and also directed traffic until assistance arrived.

Lt. Quen is the first Asian American to receive a corrections heroism award.

Correctional Lt. Dallas Reynolds and Lt. Rick Smith, California Correctional Center, Susanville

While fishing from a boat, Correctional Lieutenants Dallas Reynolds and Rick Smith heard frantic calls for help. A small boat capsized, leaving two elderly men thrashing about in the water. They sped to the scene and pulled the men into the boat. The rescue of one of the men was made more difficult by the fact that he was partially disabled. Reynolds and Smith took the men to their campsite and advised their wives to take them to the hospital. They then towed the capsized boat to the campsite.

Parole Agent John Snedden, Parole Region IV

While making evening field calls, Parole Agent John Snedden overheard a radio dispatch about a stabbing.

He responded to the area and provided first aid to the victim, who was bleeding profusely from the chest, stomach, nose and mouth. Snedden was able to ascertain the identity of the assailant and helped persuade the occupants of a residence to consent to a search, which revealed the assailant’s hiding place.

Assistant Fire Chief Robert Harper, California Medical Facility, Vacaville

While driving home from Lake Tahoe, Assistant Fire Chief Robert Harper noticed a vehicle in front of him spin out of control and slam into the side of a mountain. Harper stopped his car, approached the other vehicle and found the driver bleeding from a head wound and in a semi-conscious state. Harper controlled the bleeding and administered first aid for shock for 48 minutes until an ambulance arrived.

Fire Chief Martin Lindeboom, California Correctional Institution, Tehachapi

After a gas line broke in the prison, and after consulting with the gas company, Fire Chief Martin Lindeboom quickly determined electrical power to some areas of the prison had to be shut down to prevent a possible explosion. He also ordered evacuation of some areas. After the leak was repaired, he oversaw all necessary steps to return to normal operating procedures.

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL

Correctional Officer Robert Granados, Sierra Conservation Center, Jamestown

Since 1972, Correctional Officer Robert Granados has demonstrated an ability to perform numerous unique assignments while working at Deuel Vocational Institution and Growlersburg Conservation Camp. He developed and implemented policies and procedures in various sections of the prison and, during the last five years, has been the prime motivator for the juvenile diversion program at the camp.

Granados has continually distinguished himself as an outstanding employee in a manner exceeding normal demands of his position.

Correctional Officer of the Year

Michael Evans, California Correctional Institution, Tehachapi

Correctional Officer Michael Evans joined the Department of Corrections in 1985. Since then, he has displayed a commitment to excel and leadership qualities far above the requirements for a Correctional Officer. He recently promoted to Sergeant and is currently the Assistant Commander of the prison’s Special Emergency Response Team (SERT).

He developed and refined a legal paging system, providing legal services to Security Housing Unit inmates. His process has been used as a model throughout the system. His expert documentation and record keeping abilities have been invaluable in several court cases. He is a training instructor in weapons and tactics.

Evans was awarded the Corrections Bronze Star for heroism (see above).

A Vietnam War veteran, Evans is active in community groups such as service clubs, sportsmen’s clubs and the institution’s Honor Guard.

Correctional Supervisor of the Year

Correctional Lt. Larry Olesen, California Correctional Center, Susanville

Lt. Larry Olesen has been with Corrections for 27 years, promoting to lieutenant in 1972. For 14 years, he served as the Camp Commander at the Parlin Fork Conservation Camp, near Fort Bragg. He then took over the same position at the Chamberlain Creek Conservation Camp in 1987. As Camp Commander, Olesen works with corrections and forestry personnel in firefighting, forest conservation, flood control and forest maintenance.

Olesen is also a guest speaker at numerous community functions and serves as a combined training instructor for Corrections, Forestry and U.S. Forest Service. He is a member of community organizations such as Elks, Rotary Club and the Mendocino County Peace Officers Association.

Through his efforts, the inmate firefighters of the conservation camp system have been recognized nationwide as a professional firefighting team.

Story by Mike Van Winkle, Managing Editor, Correction News
California Department of Corrections, Central Office

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