About two dozen Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department personnel and a private citizen were honored Thursday for acts of heroism.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva and Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn were among those on hand for the Thursday afternoon ceremony at the Bob Hope Patriotic Hall in downtown Los Angeles.
“I know that every day that our deputies put on their uniforms, I know that you know that you may need to put the safety and the wellbeing of others before your own,” Hahn told the gathering.
“And that is a special kind of commitment to public service,” Hahn said. “The individuals we’re honoring today faced that ultimate test. Innocent people were in harm’s way, and they chose to put their lives at risk to save them.”
Among the honorees:
Purple Heart and Medal of Valor:
— Deputy Joe R. Carbajal, East Los Angeles Station; and
— Deputy Joel M. Garnica, East Los Angeles Station.
Medal of Valor:
— Deputy Aaron G. Abellano, Industry Station;
— Deputy Miguel E. Leon, East Los Angeles Station;
— Deputy Sergio Trejo, East Los Angeles Station;
— Deputy Luis A. Valle, East Los Angeles Station;
— Intermediate Clerk Hector M. Corrales, Twin Towers Correctional Facility;
— Deputy Jasen G. Tapia, Century Station; and
— Retired Deputy Richard Ochoa-Garcia.
Meritorious Conduct Gold Medal:
— Deputy Larry R. Billoups, Carson Station;
— Deputy Adrian Gonzalez, Carson Station;
— Deputy Steven R. Pratt, Special Enforcement Bureau; and
— Deputy Lawrence E. Swanson Jr., Special Enforcement Bureau.
Meritorious Conduct Silver Medals: Sgt. Kevin Brown, Sgt. Spencer Reedy, Deputy Nicholas M. Adragna, Deputy Kevin K. Hilgendorf, Deputy Daniel R. Leon, and Deputy John Montenegro, all of the Special Enforcement Bureau; and Deputy Rizaldy A. Reantaso and Security Officer Gerardo Fabian, both of Court Services West.
Lifesaving Medals: Deputy Nicholas G. Martinez, Deputy Justin G. Meng, and Deputy Collin Sam, all of the Carson Station; and Security Assistant Angelo P. Tramontano, of Court Services West.
Humanitarian Medal: Jose Posantes.