On December 4, 2007, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger presented 31 State of California employees with Medals of Valor at the Crest Theatre. (To see a list of the 2007 Medal of Valor Awardees please use the link below).
The Medal of Valor is the highest honor the State can bestow upon its employees and is awarded to individuals who have performed an extraordinary act of heroism above and beyond the call of duty to save the life of another person or have risked their own lives to save someone. Although honorees typically include law enforcement officers, fire fighters, and lifeguards, the award also has been bestowed on State employees who did not work in hazardous positions but found themselves in situations where they risked their life to render assistance to someone in imminent danger.
Examples of the extraordinary acts of bravery displayed by the individuals honored at this year's ceremony include a Caltrans employee who rescued a man trapped in his vehicle following a massive mudslide, a Mental Health employee who prevented an attempted carjacking and robbery, a CHP officer who rescued a four-year old boy from a burning vehicle, and two Fish and Game employees who rescued a fellow Warden who was shot and wounded during a marijuana eradication detail.
The Medal of Valor Award Program is administered by the Department of Personnel Administration (DPA). Nominations are submitted by departments and agencies to DPA and recipients are honored annually in a public ceremony. There are two types of awards. The Gold Medal or Special Act Award represents an extraordinary act of heroism by a State employee extending far above and beyond the normal call of duty or service performed at great risk to his or her own life in an effort to save human life. The Silver Medal or Special Service Award represents an act of heroism by a State employee extending above and beyond the normal call of duty or service performed at personal risk to his/her safety to save human life or State property.
2007 Medal of Valor Awardees
2006 Medal of Valor Awardees
2003 Medal of Valor Awardees
2001 Medal of Valor Awardees
Related Forms
Special Act/Special Service Award Nomination Package
Articles and Newsletters
Benefits News - April 2007 (Word) / (PDF)
Related Links
Merit Award Program
For More Information
