Press Release

On July 14, 2001, Deputy Lazaro Ortega, assigned to Court Services Central Bureau at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center, and his partner, former Deputy Caesar Cruz, (Orange Police Department), were enjoying a day at Laguna Beach with their families, when suddenly, they found themselves in a race against time to save lives.

A large wave hit the beach and swept three small children, who had been playing on the shoreline, into the ocean. Strong rip currents pulled the children swiftly away from shore. Reacting without hesitation, or regard for their own safety, Deputies Ortega and Cruz joined the children's father, swimming out into the deep water and strong currents to save the children. The father and Deputy Cruz were able to rescue two of the panic-stricken children. Deputy Ortega swam after the third child, who was further away and still caught in the riptide and in danger of drowning. After an exhausting swim, Deputy Ortega reached the terrified child who, in desperation, pushed the deputy's head under water several times. Deputy Ortega began swimming parallel to the shoreline, trying to find the end of the rip current. Deputy Cruz returned to the water to assist his friend and the child. After battling the worst of the riptide, while keeping the child's head above water, Deputy Ortega realized he had become too fatigued and was about to go under, taking the child with him. He called to Deputy Cruz for help, saying "Caesar, I'm not going to make it. Take the kid!"

Summoning his last ounce of energy, Deputy Ortega held on to the child until Deputy Cruz could grab her. He took her to shore and gave her to a lifeguard who had just arrived. Trading the child for the lifeguard's flotation device, Deputy Cruz headed back into the water. He reached Deputy Ortega and passed him the flotation device, but Deputy Ortega was too exhausted to grasp it and was pulled underwater. Deputy Cruz desperately dove for his friend, found him, brought him to the surface, and somehow pulled him to shore.

Deputy Ortega, who had lost consciousness, was transported to the hospital. He suffered a shoulder injury sustained from holding the child, and kidney failure due to the amount of salt water he swallowed. He has since recovered and returned to work.

A dreadful tragedy was prevented due to the heroic actions of Deputies Ortega and Cruz. For placing the children's welfare far above their own, and risking their own lives to save others, Deputies Ortega and Cruz were awarded the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Medal of Valor and the California's Peace Officer's Medal of Valor.

Deputies Ortega and Cruz will be recognized as top finalists, receiving Honorable Mention at the International Association of Chief's of Police on October 8, 2002, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Their courageous story will be featured on Court TV, "Badge of Courage," on October 20, 2002 at 10 p.m., Pacific Coast Time.

SHB-78A-02

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October 4, 2002