Local Sheriff's Deputy Receives Recognition for Stopping Runaway Car

You may remember Sheriff's Deputy Marcelo Ruiz. He's the in La Crescenta in September 2011. 

Ruiz received the Attorney General’s Certificate of Peace Officer Valor for stopping a Tujunga woman's runaway Ford Focus, while it crossed through five intersections with traffic and red lights, according to sheriff's officials in a prepared statement.      

Deputy Ruiz positioned his vehicle in front of the runaway vehicle and stopped it before anyone was injured or killed, according to the news release. 

Ruiz's recognition happened Thursday, during California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris meeting with Zone 1 Sheriffs, Chiefs of Police, District attorneys and other criminal justice administrators from Los Angeles and Orange Counties at LAPD Headquarters in Downtown Los Angeles. 

Law enforcement leaders learned best practices for conducting human trafficking investigations, an overview of the Los Angeles Regional Criminal Information Clearinghouse (LA CLEAR), and an update on public safety news from by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, according to the news release.

"As Captain of the Crescenta Valley Station, I attended the Attorney General Kamala Harris’ Zone I meeting along with many other Chiefs of Police in the Los Angeles and Orange County law enforcement family," said Sheriff's Capt. Dave Silversparre of the Crescenta Valley Station.  

"While I am also proud of all the members of Crescenta Valley Station, we are collectively proud that Deputy Marcello “Jr” Ruiz received a Valor Award from the Attorney General,” Silversparre said.