Department recognizes more than 100 employees for heroism, outstanding service
SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) honored 116 employees today during the department’s annual Medal of Valor Ceremony. Employees were recognized for extraordinary bravery and conduct above and beyond the call of duty, often in life-saving incidents where public safety was at risk.
“CDCR employees statewide are committed to protecting public safety,” said CDCR Secretary Jeff Beard. “Today we are honoring the bravery and performance that goes well above the call of duty. These dedicated employees gave of themselves, and some even placed their own lives in jeopardy to save another.”
Awards were presented by Secretary Beard and senior department executives at the 29th annual ceremony, which was sponsored by the California Correctional Supervisors Organization.
In many instances, the recipients saved the life of other employees, inmates or private citizens as they responded to emergencies. Among the actions recognized by the awards were quick responses that saved the lives of traffic-accident victims and actions by a parole agent that saved the life of a wounded fellow agent. Also honored was the distinguished service of men and women to CDCR over a period of time.
The awards presented ranged from the Distinguished Service Award to the Gold Star. For the second year, Employee of the Year awards were presented by various divisions within CDCR.
A complete list of 2013 award winners follows:
GOLD STAR MEDAL
The Corrections Star (Gold) medal is the department’s second-highest award for heroic deeds under extraordinary circumstances. The employee shall display courage in the face of immediate peril in acting to save the life of another person.
Correctional Officer Jason Parkhurst, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Sergeant Charles Contreras, California Correctional Institution
Parole Agent I Henrik Agasyan, California Parole Apprehension Team, Los Angeles
SILVER STAR MEDAL
The Corrections Star (Silver) medal is the department’s third-highest award for acts of bravery under extraordinary or unusual circumstances. The employee shall display courage in the face of potential peril while saving or attempting to save the life of another person or distinguish themselves by performing in stressful situations with exceptional tactics or judgment.
Correctional Officer Angela Hazewood, California State Prison, Sacramento
Correctional Officer Jeff Gold, Mule Creek State Prison
Correctional Officer Joann Burnias, California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility/
State Prison, Corcoran
Correctional Counselor Martin Hernandez, California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility/ State Prison, Corcoran
Special Agent Steve Epperson, Office of Correctional Safety, Special Service Unit, San Diego
Correctional Lieutenant Christopher Paris, Office of Correctional Safety, Headquarters
Correctional Lieutenant Cris Caldwell, Office of Correctional Safety, Headquarters
BRONZE STAR MEDAL
The Corrections Star (Bronze) is the department’s award for saving a life without placing oneself in peril. The employee shall have used proper training and tactics in a professional manner to save, or clearly contribute to saving, the life of another person.
Correctional Lieutenant Harold Hughes, Sierra Conservation Center
Parole Agent I Michael Williams, Oakland Parole Unit #2
Correctional Sergeant Anthony Morales, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Sergeant Thomas Quezada, California State Prison, Sacramento
Correctional Officer Jason Murillo, California State Prison, Sacramento
Correctional Sergeant Charles Finnegan, California State Prison, Sacramento
Correctional Sergeant Larry Holloway, California State Prison, Sacramento
Correctional Officer Haydel Mitchell, California State Prison, Sacramento
Correctional Sergeant Larry Dotterman, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Sergeant Mario Alonzo, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Officer Cresencio Alpuche, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Fire Captain Mark Del Barba, Deuel Vocational Institution
Parole Agent I Bartolo Siino, Parole Region I, Hanford Unit
Correctional Officer Sandra Copeland, California Correctional Institution
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL
The Distinguished Service Medal is for an employee’s exemplary work conduct with the department for a period of months or years, or involvement in a specific assignment of unusual benefit to the Department.
Dr. Timothy McCarthy, Chief of Mental Health, Pelican Bay State Prison (Posthumously)
Dr. Elaina Jannell, Psychologist, California State Prison, Solano
Dr. Steven Sherman, Clinical Psychologist, N.A. Chaderjian Youth Correctional Facility
Parole Agent I Roger Gold, Redwood City Parole Unit
Parole Agent III Gregory Weber, Redwood City Parole Unit
Correctional Lieutenant Tom Langford, Folsom State Prison
Parole Agent I Beth Bowens, O.H. Close Youth Correctional Facility
Special Agent Karen Mory, Rancho Cucamonga Special Service Unit
Special Agent Brian Docherty, Rancho Cucamonga Special Service Unit
Special Agent John Castanedo, Rancho Cucamonga Special Service Unit
Special Agent Jeff Faust, Rancho Cucamonga Special Service Unit
Special Agent Steve Gutierrez, Rancho Cucamonga Special Service Unit
Special Agent Jason Marks, Rancho Cucamonga Special Service Unit
Special Agent Guillermo Moreno, Rancho Cucamonga Special Service Unit
Office Technician Gener Santiago, Rancho Cucamonga Special Service Unit
Parole Agent II Gordon Lee, Redwood City Parole Unit
UNIT CITATION
The Unit Citation is for great courage displayed by a departmental unit in the course of conducting an operation in the face of immediate life-threatening circumstances.
Correctional Officer Gabriel Aguilar, California State Prison, Sacramento
Correctional Officer Joseph Bailey, California State Prison, Sacramento
Correctional Officer Angela Hazewood, California State Prison, Sacramento
Correctional Officer Marsell Johnson, California State Prison, Sacramento
Correctional Officer Michael Platt, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Officer Edward Shew, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Officer Daniel Torres, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Officer Michael Rivera, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Sergeant Michael Smith, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Officer Saul Lopez, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Officer Monica Milke, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Officer Eddie Nunez, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Officer Hugh McFarlane, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Officer David Morales, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Officer Scott Patterson, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Officer Juan Garcia, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Officer Tyler Healy, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Officer Todd Levesque, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Officer Adam Garvey, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Officer Rick Jones, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Officer David Linch, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Officer Paul Birdsong, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Sergeant Larry Dotterman, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Officer Michael Foster, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Sergeant Reginald Burks, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Officer Dennis Duffield, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Officer Mark Aguilar, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Sergeant Mario Alonzo, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Officer Rodolfo Alaniz, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Sergeant Felipe Alvarez, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Lieutenant Michael Calhoun, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Sergeant Gary Turner III, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Sergeant Stacie Henley, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Sergeant Harold Weaver, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Sergeant Bobby Wheeler, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Sergeant Charles Hougland, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Sergeant Kenneth Harper, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Sergeant Richard Kemp, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Counselor I Dave Tamplen, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Oscar Smith, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Ricardo Cisneros, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer James Whittaker, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Garrett Giessner, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Jeff Ammon, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Troy Parker, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Terry Barron, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Jim Herring, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Bryan Jeanes, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Johnny Lee, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Gary Lowry, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Christopher Nason, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Cheryl Nichols, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Michael Oatman, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Darrel Ulbricht, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Brian Von Rader, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Joseph White, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Jason Harrell, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Cal Huskey, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Merle Murchison, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Robert Rivera, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Dennis Ruble, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Greg Watkins, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Scott Proffer, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer James Kline, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Bobby Lee, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Steven Wood, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Diana Oliva, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Shayna Robertson, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Fallon Shelton, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Devon Rainwater, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Anthony Pickens, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Evan Zahniser, High Desert State Prison
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR AWARDS
ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR
Sirisha Gullapalli, Senior Information Systems Analyst, Enterprise Information Services
MEDICAL/DENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
Dr. Gregory Tarasoff, Chief Psychiatrist, San Quentin State Prison
REHABILITATION PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
Carlos Ramirez, Correctional Counselor III, California Institution for Men
DIVISION OF JUVENILE JUSTICE OFFICER OF THE YEAR
Quincy Elloie, Treatment Team Supervisor, O.H. Close Youth Correctional Facility
CORRECTIONAL SUPERVISOR OF THE YEAR
Sergeant Elijah Caron, California State Prison, Sacramento
CORRECTIONAL PEACE OFFICER OF THE YEAR
Correctional Officer Eli Davis, Chuckawalla Valley State Prison
EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR
Warden Ronald Rackley, California Health Care Facility, Stockton
For Immediate Release
August 29, 2013
Contact Jeffrey Callison or
Terry Thornton
(916) 445-4950
SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) honored 116 employees today during the department’s annual Medal of Valor Ceremony. Employees were recognized for extraordinary bravery and conduct above and beyond the call of duty, often in life-saving incidents where public safety was at risk.
“CDCR employees statewide are committed to protecting public safety,” said CDCR Secretary Jeff Beard. “Today we are honoring the bravery and performance that goes well above the call of duty. These dedicated employees gave of themselves, and some even placed their own lives in jeopardy to save another.”
Awards were presented by Secretary Beard and senior department executives at the 29th annual ceremony, which was sponsored by the California Correctional Supervisors Organization.
In many instances, the recipients saved the life of other employees, inmates or private citizens as they responded to emergencies. Among the actions recognized by the awards were quick responses that saved the lives of traffic-accident victims and actions by a parole agent that saved the life of a wounded fellow agent. Also honored was the distinguished service of men and women to CDCR over a period of time.
The awards presented ranged from the Distinguished Service Award to the Gold Star. For the second year, Employee of the Year awards were presented by various divisions within CDCR.
A complete list of 2013 award winners follows:
GOLD STAR MEDAL
The Corrections Star (Gold) medal is the department’s second-highest award for heroic deeds under extraordinary circumstances. The employee shall display courage in the face of immediate peril in acting to save the life of another person.
Correctional Officer Jason Parkhurst, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Sergeant Charles Contreras, California Correctional Institution
Parole Agent I Henrik Agasyan, California Parole Apprehension Team, Los Angeles
SILVER STAR MEDAL
The Corrections Star (Silver) medal is the department’s third-highest award for acts of bravery under extraordinary or unusual circumstances. The employee shall display courage in the face of potential peril while saving or attempting to save the life of another person or distinguish themselves by performing in stressful situations with exceptional tactics or judgment.
Correctional Officer Angela Hazewood, California State Prison, Sacramento
Correctional Officer Jeff Gold, Mule Creek State Prison
Correctional Officer Joann Burnias, California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility/
State Prison, Corcoran
Correctional Counselor Martin Hernandez, California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility/ State Prison, Corcoran
Special Agent Steve Epperson, Office of Correctional Safety, Special Service Unit, San Diego
Correctional Lieutenant Christopher Paris, Office of Correctional Safety, Headquarters
Correctional Lieutenant Cris Caldwell, Office of Correctional Safety, Headquarters
BRONZE STAR MEDAL
The Corrections Star (Bronze) is the department’s award for saving a life without placing oneself in peril. The employee shall have used proper training and tactics in a professional manner to save, or clearly contribute to saving, the life of another person.
Correctional Lieutenant Harold Hughes, Sierra Conservation Center
Parole Agent I Michael Williams, Oakland Parole Unit #2
Correctional Sergeant Anthony Morales, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Sergeant Thomas Quezada, California State Prison, Sacramento
Correctional Officer Jason Murillo, California State Prison, Sacramento
Correctional Sergeant Charles Finnegan, California State Prison, Sacramento
Correctional Sergeant Larry Holloway, California State Prison, Sacramento
Correctional Officer Haydel Mitchell, California State Prison, Sacramento
Correctional Sergeant Larry Dotterman, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Sergeant Mario Alonzo, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Officer Cresencio Alpuche, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Fire Captain Mark Del Barba, Deuel Vocational Institution
Parole Agent I Bartolo Siino, Parole Region I, Hanford Unit
Correctional Officer Sandra Copeland, California Correctional Institution
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL
The Distinguished Service Medal is for an employee’s exemplary work conduct with the department for a period of months or years, or involvement in a specific assignment of unusual benefit to the Department.
Dr. Timothy McCarthy, Chief of Mental Health, Pelican Bay State Prison (Posthumously)
Dr. Elaina Jannell, Psychologist, California State Prison, Solano
Dr. Steven Sherman, Clinical Psychologist, N.A. Chaderjian Youth Correctional Facility
Parole Agent I Roger Gold, Redwood City Parole Unit
Parole Agent III Gregory Weber, Redwood City Parole Unit
Correctional Lieutenant Tom Langford, Folsom State Prison
Parole Agent I Beth Bowens, O.H. Close Youth Correctional Facility
Special Agent Karen Mory, Rancho Cucamonga Special Service Unit
Special Agent Brian Docherty, Rancho Cucamonga Special Service Unit
Special Agent John Castanedo, Rancho Cucamonga Special Service Unit
Special Agent Jeff Faust, Rancho Cucamonga Special Service Unit
Special Agent Steve Gutierrez, Rancho Cucamonga Special Service Unit
Special Agent Jason Marks, Rancho Cucamonga Special Service Unit
Special Agent Guillermo Moreno, Rancho Cucamonga Special Service Unit
Office Technician Gener Santiago, Rancho Cucamonga Special Service Unit
Parole Agent II Gordon Lee, Redwood City Parole Unit
UNIT CITATION
The Unit Citation is for great courage displayed by a departmental unit in the course of conducting an operation in the face of immediate life-threatening circumstances.
Correctional Officer Gabriel Aguilar, California State Prison, Sacramento
Correctional Officer Joseph Bailey, California State Prison, Sacramento
Correctional Officer Angela Hazewood, California State Prison, Sacramento
Correctional Officer Marsell Johnson, California State Prison, Sacramento
Correctional Officer Michael Platt, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Officer Edward Shew, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Officer Daniel Torres, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Officer Michael Rivera, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Sergeant Michael Smith, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Officer Saul Lopez, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Officer Monica Milke, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Officer Eddie Nunez, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Officer Hugh McFarlane, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Officer David Morales, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Officer Scott Patterson, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Officer Juan Garcia, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Officer Tyler Healy, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Officer Todd Levesque, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Officer Adam Garvey, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Officer Rick Jones, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Officer David Linch, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Officer Paul Birdsong, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Sergeant Larry Dotterman, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Officer Michael Foster, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Sergeant Reginald Burks, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Officer Dennis Duffield, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Officer Mark Aguilar, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Sergeant Mario Alonzo, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Officer Rodolfo Alaniz, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Sergeant Felipe Alvarez, Ironwood State Prison
Correctional Lieutenant Michael Calhoun, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Sergeant Gary Turner III, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Sergeant Stacie Henley, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Sergeant Harold Weaver, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Sergeant Bobby Wheeler, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Sergeant Charles Hougland, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Sergeant Kenneth Harper, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Sergeant Richard Kemp, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Counselor I Dave Tamplen, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Oscar Smith, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Ricardo Cisneros, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer James Whittaker, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Garrett Giessner, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Jeff Ammon, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Troy Parker, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Terry Barron, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Jim Herring, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Bryan Jeanes, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Johnny Lee, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Gary Lowry, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Christopher Nason, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Cheryl Nichols, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Michael Oatman, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Darrel Ulbricht, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Brian Von Rader, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Joseph White, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Jason Harrell, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Cal Huskey, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Merle Murchison, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Robert Rivera, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Dennis Ruble, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Greg Watkins, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Scott Proffer, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer James Kline, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Bobby Lee, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Steven Wood, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Diana Oliva, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Shayna Robertson, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Fallon Shelton, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Devon Rainwater, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Anthony Pickens, High Desert State Prison
Correctional Officer Evan Zahniser, High Desert State Prison
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR AWARDS
ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR
Sirisha Gullapalli, Senior Information Systems Analyst, Enterprise Information Services
MEDICAL/DENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
Dr. Gregory Tarasoff, Chief Psychiatrist, San Quentin State Prison
REHABILITATION PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
Carlos Ramirez, Correctional Counselor III, California Institution for Men
DIVISION OF JUVENILE JUSTICE OFFICER OF THE YEAR
Quincy Elloie, Treatment Team Supervisor, O.H. Close Youth Correctional Facility
CORRECTIONAL SUPERVISOR OF THE YEAR
Sergeant Elijah Caron, California State Prison, Sacramento
CORRECTIONAL PEACE OFFICER OF THE YEAR
Correctional Officer Eli Davis, Chuckawalla Valley State Prison
EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR
Warden Ronald Rackley, California Health Care Facility, Stockton
For Immediate Release
August 29, 2013
Contact Jeffrey Callison or
Terry Thornton
(916) 445-4950
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