Summer 2015: Medal of Valor
Honorees, clockwise: Gardena police officer Jesus Ugalde, Hawthorne police officer Gustavo Rubio, Gardena police officer David Montalvan, Hawthorne police officer Shawn Kemp, Manhattan Beach police officer Justin Hidalgo, Manhattan Beach police officer Taylor Klosowski, and Hawthorne police officer Michael Murray. Courtesy of Robert Cetl
Firefighters and law enforcement officers often find themselves in situations in which there’s no time to think or hesitate; their action matters on a second to second basis, a matter of life or death. The best of these service officers are bestowed with a medal of valor, or medal of bravery, for specific incidents. On Wednesday, May 20, the South Bay Police and Fire Memorial Foundation will honor seven individuals in local law enforcement and fire departments for their act of courage at the 41st annual South Bay Medal of Valor awards luncheon. In past years, the event was hosted by local chambers of commerce.
The recipients of lifesaving awards are Gardena police officers David Montalvan and Jesus Ugalde who saved a choking infant; Hawthorne police officer Gustavo Rubio who resuscitated a woman at a volleyball game, which he had attended for his daughter; Manhattan Beach police officers Justin Hidalgo and Taylor Klosowski who saved an elderly woman who was choking at McDonalds; Hawthorne police officer Shawn Kemp who resuscitated an unresponsive infant girl; Hawthorne police officer Michael Murray who saved an unresponsive three week-old baby.
Torrance fire engineer Nick Facer and fire captain Kevin Carter will be formally nominated for a medal of valor and a distinguished service award respectively for rescuing two drowning surfers on the coast of Ireland during vacation last fall.
Reception begins at 11 a.m., lunch at noon. Tickets are $50 each, or $500 for a table of 10. For more information, contact Sherry Kramer at skramer@continentaldevelopment.com.