The below was originally posted on the Office of the Governor web site, located here
Governor Schwarzenegger today awarded the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor to five public safety officers for their tremendous courage and bravery in the line of duty. The medal was awarded to Officer Michael Purdy, Oxnard Police Department; Deputy Corey L. Morning, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department; Officers Mark Mireles and Edwin Marron, Los Angeles Police Department; and Firefighter Paul Schori, Los Angeles Fire Department.
“We owe a debt of gratitude to our public safety officials for their
selfless commitment to serve in the line of duty, risking their lives
every day to protect Californians,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “These men showed extraordinary valor and courage, going above and
beyond the call of duty, to protect their fellow Californians and
preserve public safety. This is highest public safety award offered by
our state and their courageous actions are truly deserving of the
honor.”
The Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor Act, effective January 1,
2003, authorizes the Governor to award a Medal of Valor to one or
more
public safety officers who are cited by the Attorney General for
extraordinary valor above and beyond the call of duty. The Medal of
Valor is the highest state award to a public safety officer. The
Attorney General's Office receives nominations from public safety
agencies; these nominations are then reviewed by the Medal of Valor
Review Board which makes a recommendation to the Attorney General.
Today's award recipients were unanimously recommended to the Attorney
General by the Medal of Valor Review Board and recommended by the
Attorney General to the Governor.
The following individuals are being awarded with the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor:
Officer Michael Purdy: On July 1, 2006, Officer Purdy and
Sergeant Jack Kujawa made a traffic stop that resulted in a male
passenger firing on the two officers injuring Sergeant Kujawa with a
gunshot in the face. The gunman then exchanged fire with Officer Purdy,
who was wounded in both legs and right forearm. After falling
backwards, Officer Purdy achieved a sitting position and issued a fatal
shot to the chest of the suspect.
Deputy Corey L. Morning: On October 31, 2006, Deputy Morning
responded to a fallen assault victim and was fired on by a nearby
gunman without warning. After Deputy Morning retreated from the deadly
gunfire to safety, he then moved back into the line of fire to protect
the safety of nearby onlookers and his fellow deputies, where he
engaged and fatally wounded the gunman.
Officers Mark Mireles and Edwin Marron and Firefighter Paul Schori:
On January 5, 2006, the Los Angeles Police Department and Los Angeles
Fire Department responded to an attempted suicide. Officers Mark
Mireles and Edwin Marron approached the 6th floor balcony where they
reached the woman attempting to commit suicide. As she rolled off the
edge of the balcony, Officer Mireles caught her by the leg and she
tried to fight him off. Losing the struggle, Officer Mireles called to
his partner, Officer Marron who grabbed his leg. Firefighter Schori
then arrived and secured Officer Mireles’ belt, pulling the two
officers and the woman to safety.
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