Press Release

Sheriff Lee Baca presented award recipients with his Department’s highest honor on Wednesday, August 24, 2005, at the annual Medal of Valor and Meritorious Conduct Awards Ceremony in Commerce, California. The recipients, who dignified themselves by going above and beyond the call of duty under extraordinary circumstances, can truly be called heroes. Before an audience numbering several hundred, the Sheriff presented 16 Medals of Valor and Meritorious Conduct Awards.

The awards ceremony, sponsored by Galpin Motors, was held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in the City of Commerce. The Master of Ceremonies, KTTV Fox 11 News Reporter Chris Blatchford, narrated the awards, recounting the heroic actions of each recipient. All the scenarios shared one common thread; leaders, characteristic of the men and women of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, placed in extraordinary situations, each and everyone rising to the occasion, acting above what is expected, beyond what routine duty calls for, and disregarding personal safety for the sake of potentially saving lives.

Photographs available upon request.