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Chief Bratton and the Los Angeles Police Foundation Honor 25 LAPD Officers at 48th LAPD Medal of Valor Event

Posted on: Friday, 29 May 2009, 08:00 CDT

Officers Received 'Medal of Valor' for Heroic Acts Including Pulling a Man from a Burning Vehicle and Saving the Life of a Fellow Officer

LOS ANGELES, May 29 /PRNewswire/ -- It was an afternoon of heroism and tribute at the Los Angeles Police Foundation's (LAPF) 48th Medal of Valor luncheon on May 28 as Chief William J. Bratton presented the LAPD's highest honor for bravery to 25 individuals. In the moving ceremony, emceed by actor J.K. Simmons (Spider-Man, The Closer, Juno) the brave officers were awarded their medals at the Hollywood & Highland Grand Ballroom in front of 900 guests including Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa as well as other civic, business and community leaders, local, state and federal law enforcement officials and recipients' colleagues, family and friends.

The Medal of Valor is the department's highest and most prestigious award, presented to officers who distinguish themselves by conspicuous bravery or heroism above and beyond the normal demands of police service. Special to this year's event, a record number of five female officers received this honor.

"The Medal of Valor Event is our way of recognizing the brave men and women of the LAPD who go above and beyond the normal demands of police service," said Karen Wagener, president of LAPF. "All of the honorees have performed extraordinary acts displaying extreme courage in imminent danger and the Foundation is so proud to be able to support them."

This year's Medal of Valor recipients awarded are: Jeanette Flores, Heriberto Salazar, Laura Gonzalez, Haley Smith, Vincent Rojas, Christopher Gomez, Peter Vanderburgh, Fernando Avila, Jesus Carrillo, Gina Holmstrom, Maura Tercero, Sean Kinchla, Jeffrey Ennis, Lyman Doster, Benjamin Santero, Enrique Anzaldo, Daniel Sanchez, Eduardo Perez, Dennis O'Sullivan, Robert Gallegos, Chester McMillion, David Stambaugh, William Casey, Todd Rheingold, and Joseph Rubert.

About the Los Angeles Police Foundation

Founded in 1998, the Los Angeles Police Foundation supports the Los Angeles Police Department through partnerships that provide resources and programs that help the police to serve at their highest level and to enhance LAPD-community relations. The Foundation has involved prominent business leaders in providing urgently needed special programs and equipment not provided in the city budget. To date, the Los Angeles Police Foundation has given more than $8 million in grants to the LAPD as well as scholarships to students preparing for careers in law enforcement. For more information on the Los Angeles Police Foundation please visit, www.lapolicefoundation.org.

SOURCE Los Angeles Police Foundation

Source: PR Newswire

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