Week in Review: 2025 Medal of Valor Ceremony

In this September 12 Week in Review takeover edition, we highlight the 2025 Medal of Valor Ceremony (MOV).

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A message from Secretary Jeff Macomber

Today is a day to celebrate the men and women of CDCR and CCHCS. We celebrate the professionalism of those who protect our institutions, provide health care, guide rehabilitation, supervise parole, and manage the many services that keep this department moving.

It is also a day to reflect. This year has reminded us of the importance of our work and the risks it carries. Only a few months ago, we lost Parole Agent Joshua Byrd in the line of duty. We will always remember Joshua’s service and sacrifice, and his family will always remain part of the CDCR family.

The Medal of Valor ceremony is about more than one medal. It is about all the honorees who have come forward today. Whether recognized for consistent service, lifesaving aid, or courage under direct threat, each recipient represents the values of this department. These awards reflect sacrifice, professionalism, and dedication to protecting others.

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Medal of Valor Ceremony History

When California became a state in September 1850, the Legislature passed a law establishing all county jails would serve as state prisons until a prison could be built. San Francisco Sheriff Jack Hayes then acquired the Waban and outfitted it as a prison ship. In December 1851, with 40 incarcerated people on board, Hayes sailed to Angel Island and then to Point San Quentin in 1852. Since the beginning of statehood, the department has helped maintain public safety while encouraging those in our custody to better themselves through education and learning job skills. Employees have also gone above the call, saving lives in the process. While the department has recognized employees for their bravery since the first Medal of Valor ceremony in 1986, staff have long gone above the call of duty. This year, we continue the four-decade-long tradition and salute our staff for their courageous actions.

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This year’s #CDCRheroes

2025 Medal of Valor Honoree

Parole Agent Michael Dilger, DAPO Southern Region, Victorville

Parole Agent Michael Dilger was coaching a youth baseball team in Barstow on April 17, 2024, when a large, violent brawl broke out nearby. The fight, involving multiple people armed with pipes and sticks, erupted just 50 to 60 yards from a group of children.

Recognizing the danger, Dilger acted immediately, moving the children to safety. He quickly guided them up a narrow set of stairs and into the dugout. As the situation escalated, gunfire rang out. While parents, coaches, and children scrambled for safety, he stayed behind.

In the chaos, Dilger saw a young child, frozen in shock in the stands as bullets ricocheted nearby. Without hesitation, he shielded the child with his own body and moved him to cover.

Dilger repeatedly put himself between the danger and innocent bystanders. His quick thinking, calm under pressure, and disregard for his own safety prevented what could have been a far greater tragedy.

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Gold Star

Correctional Officer Sandra Mendonca, California Medical Facility

Correctional Officer Sandra Mendonca came upon a catastrophic vehicle crash while traveling along Interstate 80.

A car had struck the center divider, leaving a woman trapped, bleeding, and in shock.

Without hesitation, Mendonca stopped, opened the damaged car door, and pulled the woman from the wreckage. She carried her across lanes of traffic to safety, shielding her from further harm.

Even after the immediate danger had passed, Mendonca stayed by the woman’s side, offering reassurance until paramedics arrived. Her quick thinking and selfless actions that day were instrumental in saving a life.

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Correctional Sgt. Alesandro Padilla, CPOST, Gold Star
Johnny Huynh, analyst, CPOST, Silver Star

While volunteering at Creekside Church in Elk Grove, coworkers Johnny Huynh and Correctional Sgt. Alesandro Padilla protected a woman facing a dangerous situation.

When the woman told them she was being followed by a man inside the building, Padilla immediately placed himself between her and the man, telling him to stop. The man ignored the commands, struck Padilla, and came toward him while brandishing a chair.

Padilla used his training to force the man to the ground, where Huynh moved in without hesitation. Huynh took control of the suspect’s arm and leg, helping immobilize him as he resisted.

Together, they maintained control until the suspect stopped fighting, and police arrived to take him into custody.

Their swift coordinated actions stopped a violent assault in a crowded public setting.

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Silver Star

Correctional Lt. Dana Boggs, Richard A. McGee Correctional Training Center

While driving home on Highway 50 in Folsom, Lt. Dana Boggs saw a car swerve through traffic, strike another vehicle, launch up an embankment, and roll.

Boggs stopped, turned on his emergency lights, and ran to the wreck. He found the driver trapped along with a dog inside.

Boggs directed bystanders to call 911 and watch for traffic, then worked to free the occupants. He took the dog out of the car and moved it to a safer area. He then helped extract the driver from the overturned car and guided him away from the roadway.

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Correctional Officer Gilbert Duenas, California Medical Facility

Correctional Officer Gilbert Duenas was traveling on Interstate 5 in Sacramento around 2 a.m., when he came upon a vehicle accident.

The car had crashed head-on into the concrete center divider. The area was dark, and the vehicle had no emergency lights.

Duenas pulled over, turned on his own emergency lights, and approached the wreck. He used his flashlight to illuminate the scene, warning other drivers and guiding them safely around the damaged vehicle.

He helped the driver move to a safe area and stayed with him until emergency services could respond.

Moments later, another vehicle struck the same divider, coming within feet of hitting the first driver. Duenas quickly returned to help the second driver exit the damaged vehicle, moving him out of harm’s way as well.

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Correctional Lt. Raymond Siordia, California Men’s Colony

Lt. Raymond Siorida was driving on Highway 101 when he witnessed a pickup truck lose control, cross multiple lanes of traffic, and collide with another vehicle before overturning.

The truck came to rest on its side, trapping the driver inside. Siorida immediately stopped and ran to the wreckage.

Despite the danger of leaking fuel and the instability of the overturned truck, he climbed onto the vehicle and pulled the injured driver to safety. As he did, another vehicle spun out nearby, narrowly missing them.

After securing the driver, Siorida saw another person injured in the crash. He quickly moved to help the victim, stabilizing the individual until emergency responders arrived.

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Correctional Lt. Robert Smalley, Mule Creek State Prison

Lt. Robert Smalley was off duty attending his niece’s graduation, when he witnessed a fight break out behind the bleachers involving four individuals.

From his position in the stands, he saw a lone deputy from the Sutter County Sheriff’s Office confronting the group.

Recognizing the deputy was outnumbered and in danger, Smalley immediately responded to assist. As the deputy pursued one of the suspects, Smalley joined the chase and helped subdue the individual.

Using his training and physical strength, Smalley brought the suspect to the ground, secured him in a prone position, and assisted the deputy in applying restraints. Once the suspect was safely in custody, the immediate threat ended.

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Correctional Sgt. Jose Navarro, and Office Technician James Jones – Substance Abuse Treatment Facility

Colleagues James Jones and Sgt. Jose Navarro were driving to work through dense fog near Lemoore, when they came upon a head-on collision involving multiple vehicles. One of the vehicles was on fire and several occupants were critically injured.

Jones and Navarro immediately stopped to help. Working alongside an Avenal Police Department officer, they pulled victims from the wreckage, moved them to safety, and provided aid despite the danger of fire, leaking fuel, and near-zero visibility.

Their calm coordination and willingness to put themselves at risk ensured that the injured victims received critical help before emergency responders arrived. 

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Jeremy McGhee, California State Prison, Sacramento, Ryan Diangson, and Steve Smith, California Health Care Facility

Steve Smith, Ryan Diangson, and Jeremy Mcghee were off duty, working at a residence in West Sacramento when they saw smoke pouring from a nearby home. They quickly realized the house belonged to an elderly woman who was still inside.

Without hesitating, they ran toward the burning home. Smith and Diangson entered the smoke-filled residence, found the woman, and guided her to safety. At the same time, Mcghee worked to ensure the path was clear and safe for their escape. Once outside, they stayed with her, offering comfort and support until emergency personnel arrived.

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Bronze Star

Correctional Lt. Charles Morelock, California State Prison, Corcoran

While driving home, Lt. Charles Morelock saw flashing lights ahead and then a pickup truck that had crashed into a semi-truck.

The vehicle was heavily damaged, with two young men trapped inside.

Without hesitating, Morelock rushed to help. One victim was pinned inside and unable to move, while the other was bleeding from serious injuries.

Morelock called 911, then worked to control the bleeding and keep both men calm until emergency responders arrived.

He remained on scene, assisting medical staff to stabilize the victims before they were transported to the hospital. 

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Correctional Officer Adrian Jara Gasca, California State Prison, Corcoran

Correctional Officer Adrian Jara Gasca was attending his son’s sporting event when he heard nearby gunshots. He immediately ran toward the sound, finding four people wounded, three of them with gunshot injuries. The victims included a pregnant woman.

Remaining calm under intense pressure, Gasca quickly assessed the scene. Seeing that the pregnant woman was bleeding heavily from her leg, he removed his belt to use as a tourniquet to stop the bleeding. He continued providing aid and reassurance to the victims until emergency responders arrived.

Even after paramedics took over, Gasca stayed on scene to assist medical staff, helping keep the victims stable and calm before they were transported to the hospital.

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Correctional Sgt. Jor Lee, Sierra Conservation Center and Correctional Officer Teng Thao, Central California Women’s Facility

While attending the Sacramento Hmong New Year celebration, Correctional Officer Teng Thao and Correctional Sgt. Jor Lee helped save a woman’s life. A young girl approached them, pleading for help after her grandmother collapsed.

Thao and Lee didn’t hesitate, rushing to the woman’s side. They quickly assessed her condition, began CPR, and called for emergency medical services. Thao retrieved an Automated External Defibrillator while Lee continued CPR. Working together, they delivered life-saving care, using the AED and maintaining resuscitation efforts until the woman began breathing again.

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Robert Gonzales, CALPIA Industrial Warehouse and Distribution Specialist
California State Prison, Corcoran

Robert Gonzales was driving to work when he came upon a crash involving an SUV and a small car in Corcoran. The SUV driver appeared dazed but uninjured, but the female driver of the small car was trapped, and the vehicle smelled strongly of gasoline.

Gonzales didn’t hesitate and approached the car. The woman’s young daughter was crying in the back seat, pinned by the damaged door. He worked quickly to reassure them both, then helped free the girl from the wreckage. Once she was safe, he returned to assist the mother until emergency responders arrived.

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Correctional Counselor James Wilson, Sierra Conservation Center

Correctional Counselor James Wilson was attending a June 30, 2024, outdoor church service in Sonora when he noticed a man slumped over and unresponsive.

The man, a 97-year-old elder of the congregation, had no pulse and was not breathing.

Wilson quickly took charge. He and another bystander laid the man on the ground, and Wilson began chest compressions.

After several minutes, a pulse returned, and the man began breathing again. Wilson continued to monitor him until paramedics arrived, ensuring he remained stable.

Thanks to Wilson’s swift action, skill, and willingness to step forward without hesitation, the man survived the incident with no signs of heart damage.

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Distinguished Service

Chief of Mental Health Dr. Morgan Elias, Kern Valley State Prison

Over the past two years, Dr. Morgan Elias has transformed veteran services at Kern Valley State Prison, establishing programs and resources that did not previously exist.

She created and implemented the Veterans Healing Veterans peer mentorship program and specialized therapy groups, while expanding access to critical mental health care for incarcerated veterans.

Her initiatives connected veterans with community organizations, improved access to VA benefits, and addressed barriers to reentry through education, housing support, and specialized treatment.

These efforts have given incarcerated veterans the tools to heal, regain purpose, and successfully reintegrate into society.

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Observances

September 11, 2001

The Richard A. McGee Correctional Training Center (CTC) in Galt held a remembrance ceremony on Thursday, September 11.

CTC staff and cadets honored the lives lost on September 11, 2001, during the terrorist attacks on United States soil. On that fateful day, 2,977 lives were lost, including civilians and first responders.

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Upward Mobility

Yesha Hill, assigned acting Warden at Folsom State Prison

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From the Capitol

Governor Newsom proclaims California’s 175th Anniversary

Governor Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation declaring September 9, 2025, as “California’s 175^th Anniversary” in the State of California.

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