Heroic Deputies Honored for Saving Lives and Risking their Own

They ran into burning buildings and brought back life where hope seemed lost.

On Thursday, 28 men and women were honored by the sheriff’s department with Medals of Valor.

Here are their stories of selflessness, determination and calm under pressure courtesy of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

Deputies Gil Dorado and Nick Stiefken Conducted CPR on a 66-Year-Old Drowning Victim

On Thursday, February 19, 2015, San Juan Capistrano Deputy Nick Stiefken, along with Deputy Leith Chacon and his trainee Deputy Gil Dorado, responded to a call of an unresponsive woman floating face down in a hot tub. Deputies Ronni McKendry, Chandler Pierce and Juan Lopez also responded. The 911 caller was the woman’s 6-year-old granddaughter and she was unable to communicate the fact the hot tub was not at their residence but was actually the gated community’s pool and spa. Despite the confusion, the Deputies found the 66-year-old victim almost immediately after arriving on scene when Deputy

Dorado observed the woman floating in the hot tub behind the fence surrounding the recreational pool.

The Deputies removed the 66-year-old grandmother from the spa and Deputy Stiefken quickly assessed the woman’s condition. He was unable to obtain a pulse and determined the woman was not breathing. Deputies Stiefken and Dorado immediately began Cardiopulmonary

Resuscitation (CPR) with Nick administering chest compressions and Gil conducting rescue breathing. While Deputy Chacon supervised his trainee, Deputies McKendry, Lopez and Pierce contacted family members, security personnel and helped maintain calm as the chaotic scene attracted more and more attention.

Deputies Stiefken and Dorado continued CPR for several minutes while waiting for fire personnel to arrive. After paramedics arrived and began setting up advanced emergency equipment, the Deputies continued CPR for several additional cycles until relieved by the paramedics. Fire Department personnel determined the woman had regained a pulse and transported her to the hospital for further medical care. Although the woman was in critical condition, she ultimately survived her near death experience.

Without the granddaughter wisely and quickly contacting 911, the grandmother would have drowned after passing out in the hot tub. Additionally, the woman’s life was saved due to the quick response and effective and determined lifesaving efforts of Deputy Nick Stiefken and Deputy Gil Dorado.

Deputy Gil Dorado Enters Burning Building to Assist Woman Saving Cats

During the early morning hours of Wednesday, July 22, 2015, Deputy Gil Dorado had just started working a patrol shift in the City of San Juan Capistrano when he was dispatched to a residential fire. He responded quickly with his patrol vehicle’s emergency lights and sirens on and arrived in just four minutes. When he arrived at the duplex, he saw a large plume of thick, black smoke coming from the attached garage where a vehicle fire had spread to the building. He quickly ran around the multiple-dwelling building, knocking on doors and warning people to get out. As he returned to the area of the garage, he saw a man standing nearby. He approached the man to check on his condition and the man told him his wife was still inside the unit whose garage was burning.

Gil immediately ran to the side patio and entered the home through the kitchen. The dense smoke allowed for no visibility so Gil began yelling, “Sheriff’s Department!” A woman responded from the back of the house so Gil quickly ran toward her through the intensifying blackness. Gil found the woman as she was coming out of her bedroom and she told him she ran back into the house to find her two cats. Gil grabbed the woman by the arm and led her outside to safety. By this time, the fire had spread outside and flames began to cover the exterior of the garage. Gil resumed knocking on the doors of nearby residents to wake them up and get them out in case the fire spread to the next duplex. A neighbor said an elderly couple lived in the other half of the burning duplex and she believed they were still inside. Gil attempted to kick open the front door but could not break it down.

Because the south side of the building was completely engulfed in flames, Gil ran around to the north side patio. Unfortunately, access to the patio was blocked. He returned to the front of the residence, broke open a window and began yelling several times for anyone inside. He received no response.

Despite the black smoke pouring out from the open window, Gil attempted to climb inside. As he struggled to step through the window, the smoke became too thick and Gil retreated into the fresh air. Fortunately, Orange County Fire Authority firefighters arrived as Gil was stepping back. He told them the residents were possibly still inside. Utilizing their equipment, the firefighters gained access to the house and escorted the elderly couple outside.

OCFA was able to put out the fire with no loss of life.

Deputy Gil Dorado showed great courage and tenacity.

Deputies Juan Lopez and Kevin Taylor Save Unresponsive 54-Year-Old Woman

On Saturday, June 20, 2015, just after midnight, Sheriff’s Dispatch received a 911 call from a frantic husband in the City of San Juan Capistrano regarding his unresponsive wife. The man told the call taker he had just returned from a trip to the bathroom when he discovered his wife had fallen out of bed and was lying on the floor and was not breathing. He added that she has been suffering from high blood pressure, arthritis in her back and knees, and had recently been ill with an infection in her throat. Dispatch sent an emergency radio call out to Deputies Juan Lopez and Kevin Taylor. They responded immediately and arrived on scene within two minutes.

The Deputies quickly went into action after finding the woman on the floor between the bed and bedroom wall. They moved her to an open area and conducted an initial assessment.

After they determined the victim had no pulse and was not breathing, they began to administer Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Juan and Kevin continued CPR for nearly five minutes without stopping before Orange County Fire Authority personnel arrived.

OCFA paramedics directed Juan and Kevin to continue chest compressions and rescue breathing while they prepared their equipment. The Deputies conducted approximately five more cycles of CPR before paramedics determined the victim had regained a weak pulse. The woman was quickly transported to the hospital for further treatment.

The quick response and effective and tenacious actions of Deputy Juan Lopez and Deputy Kevin Taylor restored the pulse and breathing of the 54-year-old victim and ultimately saved her life.

Sgt. Brian Sims Suffers Severe Lung Injury Attempting to Rescue Three People from Burning Building

It was mid-morning on January 20, 2015, in the City of San Juan Capistrano when Dispatch advised all patrol units a condominium was fully engulfed in flames and residents were trying to escape through an upstairs window. Sergeant Brian Sims, Deputies Ronni McKendry and George Miller, as well as Community Services Officer (CSO) Terry Lutton responded to the scene. Sergeant Sims was driving on Camino Capistrano, adjacent to the condo complex and reported he could see an older woman lowering children from the upstairs window. She then jumped out of the window and landed in the alley.

As the Sheriff’s Department personnel arrived on scene, a distraught man said there was still an infant, a three-year-old child and their mother inside the burning building. While Deputies McKendry and Miller began evacuating residents from the adjoining condos, Brian ran alongside the burning building and up the outside staircase to the second floor to see if it was possible to rescue the people trapped inside. As he got to the top of the landing and outdoor patio, a man was desperately using a garden hose to spray water on the front and patio doors in a futile attempt to reduce the growing flames. Brian heard screams for help coming from inside the residence when suddenly he was enveloped in a flash of smoke and heat as a backdraft flared out of the burning building. Suffering from a severe exposure to the flames, Brain was able to run back down the stairs. Ronni and George had finished evacuating the downstairs condos and were able to procure an extension ladder from a neighbor. The three of them placed the ladder below a second story window just as Orange County Fire Authority personnel arrived. Two firefighters were able to enter through the window and found the three victims where Brian said he heard the screams. The victims were taken to a nearby hospital but unfortunately succumbed to their injuries.

As a result of the backdraft, Brian suffered severe lung damage, pulmonary issues and smoke inhalation. He remained in the hospital for six days and spent seven months recovering before returning to duty. Sergeant Brian Sims displayed extraordinary courage in his attempt to enter a burning building where a deadly fire ultimately killed three people.

Although his injuries resulted in permanent lung damage, Brian was able to direct the firefighter to the victim’s location and gave them at least a chance to survive.

Investigator Rich Reyes and Deputy Gary Hamchuk Perform Lifesaving CPR on a 77-Year-Old Woman

On Saturday, March 14, 2015, San Clemente Deputy Gary Hamchuk and San Clemente Deputy Rich Reyes, who has since promoted to Investigator, responded to an unknown type medical aid call at a home on Via Estancia. Dispatch advised the Deputies an elderly woman at the residence was unresponsive and might not be breathing. Responding immediately, the two Deputies arrived within a few short minutes and were met by the 77-year-old victim’s hysterical daughter. She directed them to a rear bedroom where they found the woman on the floor and unresponsive.

Deputies Hamchuk and Reyes quickly performed an initial assessment and determined the woman was not breathing and had no pulse. Reacting with trained precision, the Deputies calmly began Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Deputy Hamchuk performed chest compressions while Deputy Reyes administered rescue breaths. The two Deputies conducted CPR for several minutes until Orange County Fire Authority personnel arrived and assisted the deputies with moving the woman to a larger, more open area. The paramedics had Gary and Rich continue CPR until advanced emergency equipment was setup and ready. Eventually, the paramedics administered four shocks to the victim before her heart restarted and she began breathing on her own. She was transported to the hospital for further treatment.

Deputy Gary Hamchuk and Investigator Rich Reyes, effectively applied their emergency first aid skills, administered successful CPR and saved the life of the elderly, female heart attack victim.

Harbor Patrol Sgt. D.J. Haldeman and Deputy Ron Reyes Saved the Life of an 85-Year-Old Heart Attack Victim

In the early afternoon on Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2015, Sgt. DJ Haldeman was working Harbor Patrol in Newport Beach Harbor. He tied the patrol boat up to the ferry landing at Balboa Island and was monitoring boat traffic when he was approached by a concerned citizen. The man said an elderly man had just fallen and needed medical attention. DJ left his boat to investigate. When he arrived at the boardwalk area, DJ saw the 85-year-old victim lying motionless on the ground, bleeding from lacerations to his face he incurred when he fell.

An off-duty nurse, Vickie Molaskey, was trying to roll the subject onto his back. A Good Samaritan passerby, Trieu Nguyen, was using a shirt to control the bleeding on the victim’s ace and another citizen, David Beek, had already retrieved an automated external defibrillator (AED) from his nearby business and applied the AED pads. DJ called for additional Deputies and Newport Beach Fire Department paramedics and began to assist the civilians. Once DJ and Vickie rolled the man onto his back, the AED advised Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) should be started. DJ administered four cycles of chest compressions then retrieved a resuscitator mask from his boat while Vickie continued chest compressions. They conducted CPR for approximately six minutes during which time two shocks were administered by the AED. When Deputy Ron Reyes and Deputy Kevin Webster arrived on scene, Ron took over chest compressions while Kevin relieved Trieu, gently cradling the victim’s head while CPR continued.

Paramedics arrived after an extended response due to enormous holiday traffic on the narrow streets of Newport Harbor and Balboa Island. They set up their advanced emergency medical equipment, applied a cervical collar around the victim’s neck and relieved DJ, using a resuscitator bag to provide greater air flow. Two more shocks were delivered by the AED as Ron continued administering chest compressions until relieved by a firefighter after eight long minutes. After a total of 18 minutes of continuous CPR, the victim finally regained a pulse. He was quickly transported to a nearby hospital for additional medical care. Not only did the man have three blocked arteries, he also suffered a skull fracture when he hit the ground. Miraculously, a nurse later noted, he sustained no apparent brain damage despite his injuries and the prolonged CPR. The operating surgeon commented he could tell the outstanding quality and effectiveness of the CPR given due to the bruised condition of the man’s ribcage.

Sergeant DJ Haldeman, Deputy Ron Reyes and Licensed Vocational Nurse Vickie Molaskey, assisted by others, utilized their skill and training to deliver lifesaving chest compressions for an extended period of time. The fire captain stated their persistent and efficient CPR undoubtedly saved the man’s life.

Deputy Apryl Soapes Administered Lifesaving Aid to a 67-Year-Old Suicidal Woman

On Monday morning, August 17, 2015, Sheriff’s Dispatch advised Aliso Viejo Deputies that a 67-year-old woman had attempted suicide by shooting herself. Deputies Harald Baella, Stacy Camarena, Juan Lopez and Luis Pereyra responded to the scene. Sergeant Bob Naranjo also responded. Laguna Niguel Deputy Apryl Soapes, working a patrol shift in nearby Laguna Hills, realized she was close to the location of the home in Aliso Viejo and responded as well. When the Aliso Viejo Deputies arrived, they secured the weapon, a Glock handgun, separated the family members for questioning and assessed the condition of the injured woman, immediately requesting paramedics to the scene.

When Deputy Soapes arrived, she realized the woman was in need of immediate treatment. She quickly retrieved towels and began applying direct pressure to two visible wounds on the woman’s chest. The semi-conscious woman began to struggle and yell at the deputies, but Apryl persisted in her attempts to administer first aid to the badly wounded victim. She instructed the other Deputies to carefully restrain the woman’s arms and legs while she continued to apply pressure to the bleeding wounds and resumed her assessment of the woman’s condition. Despite the struggling woman and copious amounts of blood, Apryl was able to locate another gunshot wound and began applying pressure there as well.

When paramedics arrived, the woman was still flailing about and losing blood. Apryl asked the paramedics for more bandages and the paramedics moved in to assist. As they cut away the woman’s shirt sleeve, Apryl discovered two more bleeding wounds in the woman’s armpit. She used her knee to keep pressure on the newly discovered wounds while maintaining pressure on the chest wounds. In total, the woman had five entry and exit wounds. Apryl assisted the paramedics place bandages on the wounds and helped lift the woman onto a gurney for transport.

At the hospital, the woman underwent emergency surgery and survived her attempt at suicide. The operating room doctor stated that the woman lost a great deal of blood and would have succumbed to her wounds without the quick, lifesaving efforts of Deputy Soapes.

Deputies Ryan Durham and Kevin Kelly Save 13-Year-Old Drowning Victim

On a cold afternoon, on November 18, 2015, the residents of a home in the community of Ladera Ranch were hosting a party for family members. One of the visiting children, a 13-year-old girl suffering from cerebral palsy and a history of seizures, somehow ended up getting into the backyard of the residence and was discovered by family members at the bottom of the backyard pool. After receiving a frantic call from the family, Orange County Fire Authority Dispatchers sent an engine company to the scene and contacted Sheriff’s Dispatch. Dispatch quickly assigned the call to Southeast Unincorporated Patrol Deputies Ryan Durham and Kevin Kelly.

Ryan and Kevin responded immediately and were the first emergency responders to arrive on scene. By the time they arrived, the family had moved the girl from the cold, wet pavement beside the pool to the dry, warm kitchen floor. After conducting a quick assessment and discovering the girl had no pulse and was not breathing, Ryan and Kevin began Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. Several minutes later Orange County Fire Authority personnel arrived, set up their equipment and assumed emergency first aid. The girl’s pulse and breathing were restored and she was transported to the hospital for advanced medical treatment.

Arriving at a family home filled with scared, emotionally distraught family members, Deputy Ryan Durham and Deputy Kevin Kelly acted with professional calm and skill. Their immediate and effective actions ensured the survival of the young drowning victim.

Deputy Jasen De Pasquale Successfully Negotiated with a Suicidal 26-Year-Old Man

On Thursday, September 17, 2015, Deputy Jasen De Pasquale was working patrol in the unincorporated community of El Modena. As he was driving between his various patrol areas he observed a man pacing back and forth on a freeway overpass sidewalk. The 26-year-old man appeared to be very emotionally upset and kept facing toward the overpass fencing and the freeway below it, looking intently at the cars and trucks speeding along beneath him. Concerned the man might be contemplating suicide, Jasen decided to conduct a consensual encounter in order to ascertain the man’s motives.

As Jasen parked his patrol vehicle along the curb, the man confirmed Jasen’s fears and climbed over the chain-link fence onto the ledge, facing outward and peering down at the passing vehicles. The only thing standing between the suicidal man and certain death was the grip of his fingers on the fencing that stood between him and the Deputy. Jasen notified

Dispatch of the situation and he began to engage the man in conversation. Unfortunately, the distraught individual would not respond. After a few minutes, a passerby, approached the scene, advised Deputy De Pasquale he was a former trauma intervention counselor and offered his assistance. Together, the two men continued to calmly persuade the suicidal man not to jump from the bridge and pleaded with him to climb back over the fence.

After several, tense minutes, they finally established a sense of rapport with the man. He began to respond to their questions and engage in meaningful conversation.

Finally, the man relented in his desire to commit suicide and voluntarily climbed off the ledge and over the fencing where Jasen carefully placed him into custody. Jasen transported the man to a nearby hospital, submitted an application for a mental health 72-hour hold and left the man in the care of hospital psychiatric personnel.

During this entire incident, Deputy De Pasquale acted in a very professional and calm manner. His initial observations were followed by immediate, decisive action. With the help of the passerby, Deputy Jasen De Pasquale intervened into what was a potentially tragic situation and prevented an emotionally distraught young man from taking his own life.

Deputy Vic Valdez Rescued Injured Motorcyclist on Freeway

On Tuesday afternoon, February 10, 2015, Gang Enforcement Team Deputies Vic Valdez and John Harrington were driving on the freeway in their unmarked vehicle with an arrestee in the back seat. Their destination was the Orange County Jail. As they passed Beach Boulevard they saw two motorcycles lying on their sides on the on-ramp to the freeway.

One motorcyclist was lying face down on the ground near the on-ramp wall after hitting the wall head first following the collision with the other motorcycle. The second motorcyclist had already fled the scene of the crash.

Deputy Harrington, who was driving the unit, parked the vehicle in the emergency lane and notified Dispatch of the situation. Deputy Valdez leapt from the vehicle and approached the fallen man who was bleeding profusely from his nose, mouth and ears. A quick assessment revealed the 39-year-old man had no pulse and was not breathing and had already turned blue. John retrieved a resuscitator mask from the trunk, tossed it to Vic, and stayed with the vehicle to monitor the radio and supervise their arrested suspect. Vic began oneman Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) alternating between chest compressions and rescue breaths. After four cycles of CPR, the victim gasped for air and regained a faint pulse. Orange County Fire Authority personnel arrived and began to assess the severely injured man’s condition. During this assessment, the victim heart stopped and Vic immediately began CPR again. After several more cycles of CPR, the man’s regained a pulse.

He was transported to a nearby hospital for advanced medical treatment.

Deputy Vic Valdez performed exceptionally well during the difficult event. He quickly and effectively administered emergency first aid at the scene, enabling the victim of this terrible collision to survive the crash and receive additional care for his life-threatening injuries.

Deputies Rob Pequeno and Ron Laquian Saved the Life of a 57-Year-Old Victim of Respiratory Arrest

On November 16, 2015, Field Training Officer (FTO) Deputy Rob Pequeno and his trainee, Deputy Ron Laquian were working patrol in the City of Laguna Woods. As they were driving through one of their patrol areas, they were dispatched to a medical aid call. Dispatch advised a 57-year-old male subject was not breathing. Responding immediately, the Deputies arrived at the residence within three minutes.

When they entered the home, they discovered the man’s caregiver was trying to resuscitate the victim, who was suffering from a pre-existing pulmonary condition. Rob saw the man’s skin color was pale blue and there was foaming saliva coming from the victim’s mouth, preventing the ventilator from providing oxygen. He conducted an assessment and began chest compressions to circulate the victim’s blood through his circulatory system. Rob and Ron continued chest compressions for approximately seven minutes until the victim began breathing on his own. Orange County Fire Authority personnel arrived, took over emergency medical care and transported the victim to the hospital for additional treatment.

The quick, effective first aid provided by Deputy Rob Pequeno and Deputy Ron Laquian enabled the victim to receive needed oxygen and restored his ability to breathe on his own, saving his life.

Deputy Anthony Garza Saves Movie Theater Patron Suffering Heart Attack

On Saturday afternoon, on the 26th day of December 2015, Deputy Anthony Garza was working his assigned patrol shift in the City of Laguna Hills when he was dispatched to the Laguna Hills Mall movie theaters regarding a man possibly suffering a heart attack.

Anthony activated his patrol vehicle’s emergency lights and sirens and quickly but safely drove to the mall to provide assistance. When he arrived at the mall, he ran into the theater and found two citizens, Florentine Fuata-Nelson and Bert Bergen, standing over an unresponsive 66-year-old man in the small space between the rows of seats inside the theater.

Florentine and Bert were checking the man’s vital signs, but were struggling to maneuver between the seats. Deputy Garza immediately took charge of the scene. He instructed Bert to assist him with moving the victim into the wide theater aisle where he and Florentine quickly conducted an assessment of the man’s condition, confirming he had no pulse and was not breathing. Florentine tilted the victim’s head back to open his airway while Anthony began to administer chest compressions. They continued Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) until relieved by Orange County Fire Authority personnel. A few minutes later, the victim regained a heartbeat, started breathing on his own and actually regained consciousness prior to being transported to the hospital for further medical treatment. A few days later, the victim’s wife said he was doing fine and was deeply appreciative of the people who saved his life.

Deputy Anthony Garza responded quickly and acted with certainty and professionalism.

His extraordinary efforts, and those of Florentine Fuata-Nelson and Bert Bergen, were instrumental in saving the life of the moviegoer.

Deputies Sonia Tipantiza and Matt Townsen Perform CPR on a 73-Year-Old Woman

Early in the afternoon on March 30, 2015, Sheriff’s Dispatch received a call from Orange County Fire Authority Metro Net Dispatch advising of a medical aid call involving a 73-year-old female not breathing. Metro Net advised they were unable to get the female caller to understand how to conduct Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Dispatch assigned the call to North Operations Unincorporated Patrol Deputies Sonia Tipantiza and

Matt Townsen and they quickly responded to the residence in the community of Orange Park Acres.

Sonia arrived on the scene first and found the victim lying unconscious on her bedroom floor and her adult son was attempting to initiate CPR. She immediately conducted an assessment and discovered the woman was not breathing and had no pulse. Sonia quickly began to administer one-person CPR as Matt arrived at the home. Matt used his resuscitator mask to deliver rescue breaths as Sonia continued giving chest compressions. The

Deputies diligently continued to perform CPR for over five minutes, determined to restore the dying woman’s heartbeat. As the two Deputies began another cycle of CPR, Orange County Fire Authority Engine #23 arrived at the residence and quickly relieved the tiring Deputies. Paramedics soon discovered the woman’s heart had begun to beat again, but because of a pre-existing pulmonary condition, she was not yet breathing on her own. They continued with emergency medical care and transported the woman to a local hospital where she was expected to recover. Because they did not have any transportation, Deputy Tipantiza drove the woman’s son and daughter-in-law to the hospital to be with their loved one.

The actions of Deputy Sonia Tipantiza and Deputy Matt Townsen were truly exceptional. They administered effective CPR to the woman for a lengthy period of time and the emergencyfirst aid they provided saved the woman’s life.

Sgt. Scott Steinle and Deputy Nick Doty Perform Successful CPR on a 66-Year-Old Man Along a Roadside

As sunset was approaching on March 23, 2015, a 66-year-old man was taking an evening stroll in the City of Yorba Linda, a little more than two months after suffering a heart attack in January. Unfortunately, as he was walking, he suffered another heart attack and fell to the ground. His son, who was with him, quickly dialed 911. When Sheriff’s Dispatch received the information, they assigned Deputy Scott Steinle, who has since promoted to the rank of Sergeant, and Deputy Nick Doty to the medical aid call.

Scott, who was patrolling nearby, arrived first and found the son on his cellphone, attempting to get instructions for giving Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) standing next to his father who was lying unresponsive on the sidewalk. Scott immediately went into action.

He conducted a quick assessment of the victim and found the man had no pulse and was not breathing. As Scott began to perform chest compressions, Nick arrived on scene with his resuscitator mask and joined Scott in administering first aid. The two Deputies continued CPR for several minutes as a crowd gathered around the tense, unfolding scene.

Orange County Fire Authority personnel arrived soon after and took over emergency medical treatment. The man regained a heartbeat and was transported to the hospital for advanced medical care.

The textbook CPR provided by Sergeant Scott Steinle and Deputy Nick Doty and the quickness with which it was administered, saved the life of the heart attack victim.

Deputy Dave Leathers Performs Lifesaving First Aid on Motorcycle Crash Victim

On Wednesday, August 5, 2015, in the summer heat of the early afternoon, North Patrol Deputy Dave Leathers was working his assigned position in the Anaheim Islands communities, an unincorporated area sandwiched between the cities of Anaheim, Garden Grove and Stanton. When Sheriff’s Dispatch advised Stanton Deputies of an injury traffic collision involving a motorcycle, Dave realized he was very close to the intersection in question and he responded immediately to the scene.

When he arrived, Dave saw a motorcycle on its side in traffic lanes. The rider was lying nearby, motionless and covered in blood. Civilians standing around the scene told Dave they thought the man was dead. Dave approached the man and saw blood streaming out of a large laceration that stretched from ear to ear. The man also had a severe, compound fracture in his right forearm. As Dave touched the man to assess his condition, the man became agitated. He was disoriented and in great pain. Dave had bystanders retrieve a large piece of cardboard from the sidewalk and placed it under the man to protect him from the intensely hot asphalt. Dave also noticed blood flowing out of the back of the victim’s head.

As he calmly reassured the man to keep still, Dave gently moved his hand behind the man’s head and discovered a large, open wound. He placed his hand over the wound to stem the flow of blood and carefully tilted the man’s head forward the slow the bleeding from his neck laceration. The man was bleeding so profusely Dave had to continually wipe away the escaping fluid to keep the man from drowning in his own blood. As Dave maintained pressure on the wounds, the man kept repeating, “Help me, help me.”

Orange County Fire Authority paramedics arrived and began treating the victim’s life-threatening injuries. He was transported to a nearby hospital for advanced medical care while Deputies stayed at the scene to complete a traffic collision investigation. Because of the severity of the man’s injuries and the probability the collision would turn out to be fatal, the Major Accident Reconstruction Team (MART) responded to complete the investigation.

Deputy Dave Leathers took extraordinary action to provide lifesaving first aid to the 25-year-old crash victim. Due to his rapid response and heroic efforts, the man survived his brush with death and ultimately recovered from his numerous injuries.

Deputies Pete Chavez, Mike Leeb and Jack Mullvain Create ‘Six Points For Kids” Volunteer Community Outreach Program

When Deputies Pete Chavez, Mike Leeb and Jack Mullvain were working together over a period of years at the Intake/Release Center in Santa Ana, they each began to see some of the same men returning over and over. They started realizing how jail can become a sort of revolving door for many of the men from underprivileged neighborhoods and they saw the hopeless and bitter attitudes of the inmates who returned again and again. The Deputies began to talk about solutions to this problem and they struck upon the idea of getting to these types of individuals earlier in their lives, before they have soured on the system.

It took some time before their idea became a reality, but through hard work, creativity and tenacity, the three Deputies developed a new program designed to engage and assist needy kids in the communities served by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. The program is called “Six Points for Kids” (SPFK).

The six points, designed in conjunction with the six points of the Sheriff’s badge, represent areas where SPFK will help equip children for success. The areas include clothing, food, community service, education, arts and athletics. Partnering with local charities and help organizations allows SPFK to enable employees of the Sheriff’s Department to volunteer, thus having an immediate impact and making a positive impression on the kids with whom the program seeks to engage. Several articles in the OC Register helped expand notoriety for the program and Pete, Mike and Jack have contacted groups including Laura’s House,

Casa Youth Center and the aMAYZing Kids Clinic. Their first charity drive occurred in the summer of 2015 and the Deputies were able to provide backpacks, notebooks, pens, pencils, markers and other school supplies to children in need.

Just as important, or even more so, are the positive relationships the Deputies are building with the kids. Often times, the previous encounters with law enforcement for these children have been negative or stressful. The SPFK program allows Deputies and kids to interact on a friendly, helpful and personal level, building relationships that may foster a renewed sense of community between the two groups. An example of this is an event where

Target donated gift cards and OCSD uniformed personnel took kids from the aMAYZing Kid’s Clinic shopping. Another event paired Deputies with kids to put together care packages for U.S. troops overseas.

By creating the “Six Points for Kids” program, Deputy Pete Chavez, Deputy Mike Leeb and Deputy Jack Mullvain have provided at-risk and needy kids in our neighborhoods the gift of badly needed supplies, an opportunity to bond with law enforcement personnel, and a chance to develop a real sense of community.

Deputies Dan Mc Namee and Eric Shaw Lead Orange County Sheriff’s Department Honor Guard

While every Deputy who participates on the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Honor Guard is an exceptional employee who dedicates their own time and effort to make the Honor Guard possible, Deputy Daniel Mc Namee and Deputy Eric Shaw are extraordinarily exceptional. As Team Leaders, they lead by example and lift the entire Honor Guard to their very high standards. Both Dan and Eric are military veterans who bring a strong sense of professionalism and military bearing to the Honor Guard. Dan has been a member of the detail for 14 years and Eric is in his 11 year on the team. Additionally, when the Honor Guard Supervisor position was temporarily vacant due to personnel transfers, Dan and Eric assumed the supervisory duties as well.

During the year 2015, Dan and Eric coordinated 40 separate events for the Honor Guard. This involved maintaining the calendar, contacting the event coordinators, scheduling different members for each event, maintaining the group equipment handling any problems that arise. They prepare the team to perform in any conditions varying from cramped or inadequate facilities, low ceilings, uneven terrain and inclement weather, all while projecting a professional and positive attitude. Being Team Leaders also means stepping in when no one else can. Dan and Eric each participated in 30 events in 2015. They trained two new team members last year and are in the process of training six additional members.

Training includes drill and formation choreography, Presentation of Colors, rifle team, bugler coordination and a variety of other duties. All of this should be viewed in the context that participation in the Honor Guard is an ancillary function and is in addition to all of their normal work duties. Both Dan and Eric also have busy family lives yet they do a remarkable job of meeting the enormous needs of a demanding performance schedule throughout the entire year.

Dan and Eric are usually the first to be contacted, sometimes with just a few hours prior notice, to pull a team together for an event. Not only do they assemble a team, they facilitate transportation, organize their personal gear and obtain all of the necessary gear for that event, including flags, flag holders, finials and rifles. They also organize the team for practice and rehearsal at each event, ensuring a flawless performance. The OCSD Honor Guard has been complemented on numerous occasions throughout the country and the rifle team is recognized as the standard in the genre.

Deputy Eric Shaw Suffers Severe Arm Laceration from Attack by Inmate

On Monday afternoon, March 9, 2015, Deputy Eric Shaw was working in Housing Operations at the Central Men’s Jail as a Prowler on the fourth floor of the four-story maximum security facility. One of his duties as a prowler was to perform safety checks of the inmates housed in Disciplinary Isolation. Inmates housed in Disciplinary Isolation typically have a history of serious jail rule violations and are frequently classified as assaultive. Although great care is taken when dealing with these inmates, they can be unpredictable and are always dangerous, despite the fact they may go days or even weeks without causing a problem.

While checking on the welfare of the inmates in Disciplinary Isolation, the Deputies will provide them with needed items like soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes and toilet paper. As he completed his check of the Disciplinary Isolation cells, Eric realized that one of the inmates

was in need of some hygiene items. As Eric attempted to give the inmate his needed items, the inmate, without warning or provocation, suddenly attacked Eric. He slashed at Eric’s left forearm with a makeshift knife made from items he had hidden from jail staff. When he slashed Eric, he managed to cause a deep, five-inch laceration across the length of Eric’s forearm, exposing muscle, tendons, fatty tissue and nerves. Eric was assisted downstairs to await transportation to the hospital and lost a large amount of blood due to the severity of the wound.

Eric was rushed to the hospital by ambulance and treated for his injury. Dozens of stitches were required to close the severe laceration and Eric remained off work for three weeks.

Although he has recovered and returned to work, Deputy Eric Shaw still suffers from the after effects of the injury and is permanently disfigured. However, he remains determined to perform his duties professionally despite being the victim of a vicious, unprovoked attack.

Photo Courtesy of the orange County Sheriff's Department