CMC officer awarded Silver Star for coming to aid of woman in burning SUV
A California Men’s Colony employee was among 98 people honored Friday at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s 35th annual Medal of Valor ceremony for his role in coming to the aid of a crash victim while off-duty.
The agency said in a news release that the awards were handed out for “bravery in responding to life-threatening situations in the line of duty and in the community as well as exemplary work benefiting the department and the public.
Correctional Officer Ricardo Ancheta was honored with a Silver Star medal for acts of bravery when he came upon a sport utility vehicle wedged under a semitrailer truck as he was driving home.
Smoke and flames could be seen coming from the SUV’s engine, the news release said, and using bolt cutters, he broke the back window so he could crawl in and check on the driver. The victim urged him to find her son, but Officer Ancheta couldn’t find the child in the vehicle.
He called for bystanders outside the vehicle to check, and the child was found sitting by the side of the road with minor injuries.
Officer Ancheta stayed with the victim and kept her from panicking as flames continued to burn under the hood, the news release says. California Highway Patrol officers arrived and put out the fire, and Officer Ancheta stayed with the victim until responders used the Jaws of Life to free her.
A California Men’s Colony spokesman did not immediately have additional information about the incident.
“This year’s honorees show that the bravery and professionalism of our staff extends beyond institution walls and into the community. Our employees keep order, ensure safety, encourage rehabilitation, and serve the people of California,” CDCR Secretary Ralph Diaz said in the news release.
This story was originally published September 18, 2020 at 5:51 PM.
