BAY AREA, CA — When seconds mattered most, three Caltrans employees acted without hesitation.
Two workers plunged into action to help rescue a woman struggling in the Pacific Ocean near Santa Cruz County, while another stayed by the side of an injured motorist stranded below a Mendocino County highway embankment.
Their actions earned California's prestigious State Employee Medal of Valor, recognition reserved for public servants whose courage and quick thinking help save lives when the outcome is far from certain.
By Bay City News
Copyright © 2026 Bay City News, Inc.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Concord, CA Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.