June 27, 2024
For Immediate Release
Exceptional Service Awards Given to Law Enforcement Officers and Members of the Community for their Bravery and Selflessness
On Thursday, June 27, 2024, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department recognized 25 individuals during the Sheriff's Exceptional Service Awards for 2022 and 2023.
The awards honored community members, public safety personnel, and Sheriff's Department members who distinguished themselves through exceptional service, bravery, and heroism beyond normal expectations. Each recipient made a significant impact on our community.
The event showcased inspiring stories of service and highlighted individual and team achievements. Recipients risked their safety to save lives. Some recipients rescued people trapped in fully engulfed homes and others aided severely injured hikers and individuals from traffic collisions. One community member intervened to stop an armed suspect. Additionally, a group received recognition for their efforts in saving Deputy Marcus Mason's life, who was wounded in the line of duty during a 2022 traffic stop in Rancho Cucamonga.
Sheriff Shannon Dicus said, “I couldn’t be more proud of the heroes we honored from our department and the community. Putting yourself in harms way to save another is what make these heroes exceptional.”
Deputies and community members listed below received either the Medal of Valor or the Meritorious Service Award.
1. Deputy Ernesto Madrigal Medal of Valor
2. Deputy Jacob Delano Medal of Valor
3. Deputy Kevin Konior Medal of Valor
4. Deputy Larry Torres *Medal of Valor
5. Deputy Jeremy Deruiter Medal of Valor
6. Captain Ross Tarangle Medal of Valor
7. Deputy Chris Henry Medal of Valor
8. Detective Shaunna Ables Medal of Valor
9. Deputy Brandon Narcisse Medal of Valor
10. Deputy David Johnson Medal of Valor
11. Detective Eric Rebollar Medal of Valor
12. Deputy Casey Allen Medal of Valor
13. Dispatcher II Heather Lassiter Meritorious Service
14. Battalion Chief Chad Comeau Meritorious Service
15. Firefighter Alex Wherry Meritorious Service
16. Firefighter Cary Mitchell Medal of Valor
17. Firefighter Adam Salveson Medal of Valor
18. Ontario PD Pilot Derrick Alatorre Meritorious Service
19. Ontario PD Observer Michael Ayala Meritorious Service
20. Physician Onaona Gurney Meritorious Service
21. Citizen John Kraus Meritorious Service
22. Citizen Mike Ball Medal of Valor
23. Citizen Christensen Severin Medal of Valor
24. Citizen Jose Pulido Medal of Valor
25. Ret RSO Deputy Dean Colbert Medal of Valor
For information on individual stories, please contact the Public Affairs Division at 909-387-3700 or at [email protected].
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
