Posted by: thepinetree on 09/14/2018 05:14 PM
Updated by: thepinetree on 09/14/2018 05:14 PM
Expires: 01/01/2023 12:00 AM
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CDCR Honors Staff at 33rd Annual Medal of Valor Ceremony
Elk Grove, CA...The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) honored 68 employees today during its 33rd annual Medal of Valor Ceremony. “Today, we honor heroes who have been placed in situations that call for action that is above and beyond the normal demands of duty,” said acting CDCR Secretary Ralph Diaz. “While facing danger or adversity, many of these men and women have demonstrated split-second decision making, bravery and integrity.”
Sixteen employees present at the Oct. 1, 2017, mass shooting in Las Vegas, were honored with the Medal of Valor, the highest honor CDCR bestows upon its employees. They faced a disaster almost beyond comprehension – the worst mass shooting in modern history in the United States. Also honored was the family of the late Lt. Derrick “Bo” Taylor, whose actions at the shooting saved lives, while he sacrificed his own. CDCR broadcast a special video about the actions of staff and the profound impact that event had on them.
Staff members from state prisons, parole offices and CDCR divisions statewide received awards at Creekside Christian Church of Elk Grove. In addition to the Medal of Valor, CDCR awarded Distinguished Service Medals, Unit Citations and Bronze, Silver and Gold Corrections Stars.
The Medal of Valor Ceremony was broadcast live on the CACorrections Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cacorrections and can be found in the video archives.
A complete list of 2018 award winners follows:
Medal of Valor
The Medal of Valor is the Department’s highest award, earned by employees distinguishing themselves by conspicuous bravery or heroism above and beyond the normal demands of correctional service. The employee shall display great courage in the face of immediate life-threatening peril and with full knowledge of the risk involved. The act should show professional judgment and not jeopardize operations or the lives of others.
Todd Weinke, Correctional Sergeant
California City Correctional Facility
Craig Lee, Correctional Officer
Valley State Prison
Javier Chavez, Correctional Officer
California City Correctional Facility
Kristy Hoyt, Licensed Vocational Nurse
California City Correctional Facility
Eric Olson, Correctional Officer
California City Correctional Facility
Stephanie Ortega, Registered Nurse
Ironwood State Prison
Kelli Madsen, Correctional Lieutenant
Ironwood State Prison
John Dias, Correctional Officer
North Kern State Prison
Albert Powers, Correctional Sergeant
Chuckawalla Valley State Prison
Christopher Pierce, Correctional Captain
Ironwood State Prison
Catherine Ploesch, Correctional Officer
Chuckawalla Valley State Prison
Keith Ploesch, Correctional Officer
Chuckawalla Valley State Prison
Cynthia Powers, Licensed Vocational Nurse
Chuckawalla Valley State Prison
Derrick “Bo” Taylor, Correctional Lieutenant (posthumous)
Ventura Conservation Camp
Jason Peacock, Correctional Officer
California Institution for Men
Greg Caravas, Correctional Lieutenant
Chuckawalla Valley State Prison
Gold Star Medal
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.
Stuart Ingle, Correctional Counselor II
Sierra Conservation Center
Anival Avila, Correctional Officer
Pelican Bay State Prison
Zach Basnett, Correctional Sergeant
Pelican Bay State Prison
Thomas Brewer, Correctional Officer
Pelican Bay State Prison
Sergio Chavez, Correctional Officer
Pelican Bay State Prison
Christopher Corpstein, Correctional Officer
Pelican Bay State Prison
Aaron Featherstone, Correctional Officer
Pelican Bay State Prison
John Franz, Correctional Officer
Pelican Bay State Prison
Joshua Hendrix, Correctional Officer
Pelican Bay State Prison
Paul Hicks Jr., Correctional Officer
Pelican Bay State Prison
Michael Humphrey, Correctional Officer
Pelican Bay State Prison
Zackery McCully, Correctional Officer
Pelican Bay State Prison
Dale McDonald, Correctional Officer
Pelican Bay State Prison
Travis Molina, Correctional Officer
Pelican Bay State Prison
Daniel Mount Jr., Correctional Lieutenant
Pelican Bay State Prison
Aaron Schaad, Correctional Officer
Pelican Bay State Prison
Shawn Tayman, Correctional Officer
Pelican Bay State Prison
Cody Vick, Correctional Sergeant
Pelican Bay State Prison
Silver Star Medal
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 him/herself by performing in stressful situations with exceptional tactics or judgement.
Kevin Jacobs, Correctional Officer
Deuel Vocational Institution
Chris Peterson, Correctional Officer
Folsom State Prison
David Toman, Supervising Registered Nurse II
Folsom State Prison
Bronze Star Medal
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.
Joel M. Herrera, Correctional Sergeant
San Quentin State Prison
Rory Taylor, Correctional Officer
Central California Women’s Facility
Curtiss Ursenbach, Correctional Lieutenant
Avenal State Prison
Henry Moran, Correctional Counselor I
Folsom State Prison
Unit Citation Medal
The Unit Citation is awarded for great courage displayed by a departmental unit in the course of conducting an operation in the face of immediate life-threatening circumstances.
Trevor Hatley, Parole Agent II, Supervisor
Redding GPS Parole Unit
Brad Putnam, Parole Agent I
Redding GPS Parole Unit
Lance Nystrom, Parole Agent I
Redding GPS Parole Unit
Joseph Eldridge, Parole Agent I
Redding GPS Parole Unit
Matthew Ledbetter, Parole Agent I
Redding GPS Parole Unit
George Checa, Parole Agent I
Redding GPS Parole Unit
Daniel Carroll, Parole Agent I
Red Bluff Parole Unit
Matthew Mauck, Parole Agent I
Redding GPS Parole Unit
Distinguished Service Medal
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.
Marty Giannini, Program Administrator
NA Chaderjian Youth Correctional Facility
Jennifer Shaffer, Executive Officer
Board of Parole Hearings
Rhonda Skipper-Dotta, Chief Deputy Commissioner
Board of Parole Hearings
Sandra Maciel, Chief Deputy Commissioner
Board of Parole Hearings
Jennifer Neill, Chief Counsel
Board of Parole Hearings
Cliff Kusaj, Chief Psychologist
Board of Parole Hearings
Brian Kelley, Chief of Investigations
Board of Parole Hearings
Sigifredo Rizo, Parole Agent III, Senior Investigator
Board of Parole Hearings, Offender Investigations Unit
Wendell Howell, Senior Youth Correctional Counselor
OH Close Youth Correctional Facility
Deborah Hysen, Director
Facilities, Planning, Construction & Management
Maureen McLean, Chief Executive Officer (Retired)
Pelican Bay State Prison
Employee Recognition Awards
Executive of the Year
Derrick Marion, Chief
Office of Correctional Safety
Administrator of the Year
Katherine Minnich, Director, Human Resources
Office of Personnel Services
Rehabilitation Professional of the Year
Hillary Iserman, Deputy Superintendent
Office of Correctional Education
Division of Adult Parole Operations Professional of the Year
Vincent Thompson, Parole Administrator I
Southern Region, Los Angeles
Correctional Officer of the Year
Vianey Ford, Correctional Officer
Folsom State Prison
Correctional Supervisor of the Year
Stephen Kura, Correctional Plant Supervisor
Centinela State Prison
Division of Juvenile Justice Professional of the Year
Maria Harper, Superintendent
Ventura Youth Correctional Facility
Healthcare Professional of the Year
Michael Martel, Warden
California Health Care Facility
Raul Recarey, Chief Executive Officer
California Prison Health Care Services / California Health Care Facility
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