CDCR Medal of Valor Awards

Each year CDCR holds the Medal of Valor (MOV) awards to honor employees and community members who distinguished themselves by acts of heroism, bravery, or service beyond the normal demands of correctional/community service.
Alfred Gascon, Correctional Officer at Calipatria State Prison, Awarded Medal of Valor
Driving home from work, Officer Gascon saw dust arising from near a highway intersection. When he reached the intersection, he came upon two severely damaged vehicles. Alfred stopped to help. The wreck left the driver of the first vehicle trapped inside but alert and largely unhurt. He told Alfred he had already called 9-1-1.
CDCR Awards 72 Medals to the Heroic, Brave and Distinguished
Gold Star Medals Awarded
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.
Silver Star Medals Awarded
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 himself or herself by performing in stressful situations with exceptional tactics or judgement.
Bronze Star Medals Awarded
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.
Distinguished Service Medals Awarded
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.
Employee Recognition Recipients
