The 2024 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.
2024 Gold Star recipient
Rogelio Tienda, Correctional Officer
California State Prison, Corcoran
Officers showed bravery when they came to the aid of another officer, rescuing him from a burning car. On a Sunday evening in May 2023, Officer Vasquez was hit by another vehicle head-on while driving home from his first-watch shift.
The collision was violent, knocking him unconscious and causing his vehicle to catch fire.
Officer Rogelio Tienda came upon the horrific scene of the hit-and-run collision. Seeing Vasquez unconscious and the cabin filling with smoke, Tienda knew he had to act quickly.
Unable to open the door, he ran to his vehicle and got a crowbar from the trunk. After several attempts, he was able to break the window and pull Vasquez from the wreckage.
Officer Ortega and an unknown correctional officer from Substance Abuse Treatment Facility stopped to assist after observing Tienda rescuing Vasquez. They safely moved Vasquez a safe distance away from the fully engulfed vehicle and stayed with him to keep him calm, as his injuries were extensive.
CHP arrived on the scene soon after and took a suspect into custody for felony driving under the influence causing major injuries and felony hit and run.
The actions of officers Tienda and Ortega, and their quick reaction during a very stressful and dangerous situation, were nothing short of heroic.
Note: Officer Ortega was awarded the Bronze Star for his actions.
Read more stories of bravery on Inside CDCR’s Above the Call series.