On Wednesday, December 15, 2010 the San Francisco Police Department presented several members of our department and association with Medals of Valor for actions taken above and beyond the normal call of duty in various critical incidents. The ceremony was held at the Mission Bay Conference Center of UCSF and was well attended by members of the SFPD Command Staff, fellow officers, and the public, and, of course, by family members and friends of those being honored.
The ceremony was emceed by Lt. Timothy Falvey, Secretary to the Police Commission, who did an outstanding job. Lt. Falvey introduced Chief Gascon and members of the Command Staff who were on hand for the event as well those Police Commissioners who were in attendance.
Chief Gascon addressed the audience with some inspiring words and noted how proud he was to honor each of the members who brought pride and favor upon the department for their actions with little regard for themselves. Each, he noted, had exemplified all that is inherent in the oath to protect and serve.
As a member of the SFPD, I proud of the valor each officer exhibited as I listened to the recounting of dangerous events and subsequent acts of heroism.
Lieutenant Henry Parra and Sergeant Russell Gordon each received a Gold Medal of Valor for actions taken to apprehend a vicious gangster who ruthlessly gunned down a young man in cold blood before their very eyes. The apprehension of this thug was made at great risk to the safety of the officers.
Henry’s father, mother, and son Matthew Parra #2355, currently assigned to Southern Station, and Henry’s friend and confidant Officer Geralyn Kavanagh #942 of Park Police Station were among those in the audience beaming with pride.
Sergeant James O’Malley, Sergeant Timothy Paine, Sergeant Gregory Kane, Officer Steven Stearns, and Officer William Elieff were each awarded a Gold Medal of Valor for actions they took while apprehending a violent career criminal (Cameron Boyd) who had attempted to kidnap a mother and her young son at gunpoint in the city’s Western Addition area. A car chase ensued, and during that pursuit, the suspect fired a large caliber handgun at the officers with the intention of doing great bodily harm to the officers and members of the general public with wanton disregard. At least one of the felon’s gunshots struck a pursuing police car, but that did not deter the officers from their courageous duty. The car chase ended in Larch Alley with the suspect reaching for his gun. The officers took effective action and neutralized the threat on a permanent basis.
Officer’s Michael Peregoy, James Trail, and Uwem Obot, brother of Sgt. Bassey Obot, were each awarded a Bronze Medals of Valor for their courageous apprehension of another career criminal who open fired a heavy AK-47 assault rifle in a public housing area. These courageous officers relied on their keen instincts, training, and teamwork to take the suspect into custody with no harm to them or to the members of the community.
Officer Roderick Suguitan was also awarded the Bronze Medal of Valor for actions taken after receiving a call for service in the Ingleside Police District. A deranged, unbalanced subject threatened and charged at Officer Suguitan with a large machete. Officer Suguitan found himself in a very closed space with little or no room to take an evasive move. Having no other choice, Officer Suguitan employed his department issued firearm and permanently neutralized the threat against his life.
I am certain that the members of this department and of the general public join me in congratulating these decorated SFPD heroes.
