Two Moorpark-area California Highway Patrol officers were among seven state employees honored June 12 in Sacramento with the Governor’s State Employee Medal of Valor for rescuing a woman who tried to end her life on a freeway overpass in Simi Valley.
Retired Sgt. Brian DeNike and Officer Alex Salazar received the Silver Medal of Valor for the Dec. 17, 2024, incident on an overpass above the 118 freeway. CHP said the officers responded after reports that a woman was threatening to jump during a mental health crisis.
While officers spoke with her, she climbed over the railing and was left hanging by her hands from the overpass. DeNike and Salazar immediately rushed forward, grabbed her arms and pulled her to safety moments before she lost her grip, preventing serious injury or death.
“These officers exemplify the very best of the California Highway Patrol,” California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin said during a ceremony at the CHP Academy. “The actions recognized today reflect extraordinary courage and commitment to public safety.”
The awards, established in 1959,
California public employees who perform extraordinary acts of heroism. Since then, more than 800 state workers— including more than 300 CHP officers—have received the medal.
CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee said the honorees acted far beyond the call of duty.
“Every day, CHP officers answer the call to serve, often under the most challenging and dangerous circumstances,” Duryee said.
Along with the Moorpark-area officers, five others were honored for separate incidents across the state.
Officers Jovanniray Alvarez and Jaffrey Phillips of the Baldwin Park area received the Gold Medal of Valor for stopping a wrong-way driver on Interstate 10. Bakersfield-area Officer Rodney Black received the Gold Medal of Valor for preventing a collision during a DUI checkpoint operation.
Santa Maria-area Officer Brian Hanrahan was honored for stopping a suspect after an explosion at the Santa Maria Superior Courthouse. Oroville-area Officer Paul Vue received the Gold Medal of Valor for providing lifesaving aid to two shooting victims.