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California Attorney General's Award for Valor: Lieutenant David Thompson, Detective Jill Greenwood, Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
On July 27, 2012, Rudy Zendejas kidnaped his estranged wife at gunpoint from her place of employment in the city of Malibu. In a violent rage, the suspect accused his estranged wife of sleeping with a co-worker and stated he would kill her, her boyfriend and himself before going to prison.
Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station detectives orchestrated a detailed plan to apprehend the suspect. Detective Bureau Lieutenant David Thompson and Detective Jill Greenwood positioned themselves in a restaurant and identified the suspect inside the location. They allowed him to exit and began to follow him on foot. The suspect positioned himself in front of pedestrians, including children, and appeared to identify the detectives as peace officers, and reached for a concealed weapon in his waistband.
Due to the suspect’s position, lethal force was not an option. The detectives, without regard for their own safety, placed themselves directly in the line of fire to protect the public and attempted to distract the suspect. As the suspect reached for the weapon, they grabbed him before he could retrieve it. As they controlled his arms, Lieutenant Thompson was able to remove the weapon from the suspect’s grasp, thereby preventing a tragedy.
The suspect had concealed on his person a loaded handgun, 63 rounds of ammunition, and a suicide/farewell note to his parents. He also admitted later he had identified the two detectives as police officers. By placing themselves in harm’s way to protect innocent children and physically confronting an obviously armed and dangerous suspect, the selfless, heroic acts of the detectives averted an extensive and tragic loss of life.
**** About the Valor Award: California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris on July 25, 2013, convened law enforcement leaders from Los Angeles and Orange counties for a regional meeting to discuss priorities and share information. As part of the meeting at LAPD HQ, Attorney General Harris presented commendation and valor awards to peace officers and citizens nominated for their efforts to protect public safety in 2012.
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Leroy D. Baca, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
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