Six personnel from the Lancaster Station and a 66-year-old local grandmother were among those honored for bravery and heroism at the Sheriff Department’s annual Valor Awards Ceremony Thursday, Oct. 2, 2014. (Photo courtesy LASD)
MONTEBELLO – Sheriff John Scott on Thursday presented 25 members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, including six from the Lancaster Station, with highest honors during the annual Valor Awards Ceremony. These medals are awarded to Department members who perform acts of great bravery or heroism, above and beyond the call of duty, to save the lives of others while placing their own lives at risk.
The ceremony also included a special presentation to several community members, including local grandmother Gale Smith. They were honored with the Sheriff’s Department Humanitarian Medal for their fearless and courageous actions when rendering aid to Department personnel.
Sergeant Clayton Marion, Sergeant Steven Owen, Deputy Curtis Foster, Deputy Erik Jepson, Deputy Lewis Orantes and Deputy Larry Pico, all from the Lancaster Station, were awarded the Meritorious Conduct Medal, Gold, for capturing a reputed gang member after a car chase, carjacking and hostage situation in Lancaster in November of 2013. [Read our news story on that incident here.]
According to a statement from the Sheriff’s Department:
On November 26, 2013, at approximately 9:21 p.m., Deputies Erik Jepson and Larry Pico were patrolling in the city of Lancaster when they received information that known gang members were in the area, possibly armed and wearing bullet proof vests. The deputies searched for the suspects and located a vehicle matching the description given.
The group worked together to capture reputed gang member Rodney “Kiki” Redondo, who was about to commit a home invasion robbery.
Information indicated that the vehicle was connected to a missing person, and deputies initiated a traffic stop. Upon approaching the vehicle, Deputy Pico saw that the driver was holding a handgun and notified his partner. The driver sped off and a pursuit was initiated. Sergeant Owen joined the pursuit, and after a short time, the suspect vehicle came to a stop in a cul-de-sac. The suspect driver immediately exited the vehicle and ran into a nearby apartment complex, while the passenger was taken into custody.
During the search for the suspect, Deputies Jepson and Pico saw a vehicle, and inside, the driver was frantically pointing at the passenger. Recognizing the passenger as the suspect who had fled earlier, the deputies tried to detain him. The suspect was holding the driver at gunpoint and utilizing him as a human shield.
Sergeant Owen immediately assessed the situation and, keeping in mind the victim’s safety and the safety of the deputies, ordered the use of a Taser to incapacitate the suspect. Deputy Orantes deployed his Taser, which enabled the victim to escape. With the assistance of Sergeant Clayton and Deputy Foster, the suspect was detained and the handgun seized.
The investigation revealed that the suspect’s vehicle had been stolen the day before which contained a second firearm and ski masks. The suspects admitted they intended to conduct a home invasion robbery.
Throughout the incident, the sergeants’ and deputies’ actions were courageous and nothing short of heroic.
Local grandmother honored for saving deputy
Gale Smith, a 66-year-old local grandmother of six, was awarded the Sheriff’s Department Humanitarian Medal for coming to the aid of a female deputy who was being attacked on the side of the road in January of 2012. [Read our news story on that incident here.]
According to a statement from the Sheriff’s Department:
On January 31, 2012, Deputy Kimberly Boissier of Lancaster Station was responding to investigate an attempt carjacking when she saw the alleged suspect and stopped to investigate. The suspect immediately lunged at Deputy Boissier and tried to push her into oncoming traffic, while attempting to take her gun.
Gale Smith said she wasn’t afraid to intervene because she knew God would take care of her.
At the same time, Doctor Gale Smith was driving by when she saw the Deputy’s altercation with the suspect. Believing the officer’s life was in danger, Dr. Smith immediately stopped and ran to help the deputy who was being viciously attacked. Dr. Smith and Deputy Boissier struggled to subdue the suspect until two other men ran up to help and assisting units arrived on scene.
Doctor Smith credits her faith and trust in God to give her strength. Doctor Smith’s willingness to become involved in this dangerous situation by physically engaging the suspect most likely saved the deputy’s life. For her heroic actions, Doctor Gale Smith, a 66 year old grandmother, former correctional officer and an Air Force veteran, is awarded the Department’s Humanitarian Medal.
The annual valor awards ceremony Thursday was held at the Quiet Cannon in the city of Montebello. The Master of Ceremonies was Dodger great, Tommy Lasorda, and ABC Channel 7’s John Gregory narrated the awards, recounting the heroic actions of each award recipient before an audience of nearly 600 Department personnel and their guests.
For the entire list of honorees and more information, click here.
2 cents MC GEE says
Thanks to all for getting rid of these criminals who plague our valley.
bird says
Thank you heroes!