Crime & Safety
LA Sheriff Deputy Earns Medal of Valor at the White House for Heroic Rescue
Deputy Jenna Underwood-Nunez was five months pregnant when she dove to the bottom of a murky lake to save the life of a drowning teen.
A Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy who saved a boy from drowning was among the recipients of a Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor today at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. hosted by Vice President Joe Biden and attended by Attorney General Eric Holder.
On April 27, 2013, Deputy Jenna Underwood-Nunez -- who was five months pregnant -- was off duty and at a campground with her family when she “observed a boy struggling in the lake about 100 yards from shore,” a White House statement said.
“Fully clothed, she swam toward the victim, only to learn that the struggling boy was trying to draw attention to his brother, submerged in 15 feet of water,” the statement said.
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“She dove in the murky water to search for the victim at the bottom of the lake. She found him, dragged him to the shore and began life-saving measures to restore his breathing,” it said, adding that the victim was airlifted to a local hospital in stable condition.
“Thanks to the heroic actions of Deputy Underwood-Nunez, the 17-year- old high school student made a complete recovery,” it said.
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This morning’s ceremony took place at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building adjacent to the White House.
The Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor, authorized by law in 2001, is the highest national award for valor presented to a public safety officer. The medal is awarded to officers who have exhibited exceptional courage, regardless of personal safety, in the attempt to save or protect human life.
The medal is awarded by the President of the United States, or his designee, to public safety officers cited by the Attorney General. Public safety officers are nominated by the chiefs or directors of their agencies and recommended by a review board.
- City News Service
- Photo Credit: WhiteHouse.gov
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