Correctional officer awarded CDC medal
A Solano correctional officer was among 98 California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation employees honored Friday at the department’s virtual 2020 Medal of Valor Ceremony.
“This year’s honorees show that the bravery and professionalism of our staff extends beyond institution walls and into the community,” said CDCR Secretary Ralph Diaz. “Our employees keep order, ensure safety, encourage rehabilitation and serve the people of California.”
Nichele Aguilar, with California State Prison, Solano was honored with a Gold Star Medal. The honor, officials advised, is bestowed on those “for heroic deeds under extraordinary circumstances. The employee shall display courage in the face of immediate peril in acting to save the life of another person.”
As she readied for bed one night, Aguilar answered her door
to find a bloody teenage girl who said her stepfather had just stabbed her and her mother. Aguilar called police as she rushed to help, finding the girl’s mom outside with slash wounds to her throat and other stab wounds.
The correctional officer counseled the teen while applying pressure to the mother’s wounds with a towel.
Upon their arrival, paramedics took over the pair’s care and police were alerted to other children in the victims’ home.
A critically burned child was located there and transported for treatment.
All of the victims survived and the stepfather, after seriously wounding a police dog, was shot and killed by police.
Other Gold Star awardees include Robert Dickson, a correctional officer at California Rehabilitation Center and Harley Robbins, a correctional sergeant at Centinela State Prison.
For a full list of honorees, visit https://bit. ly/3hL76UM.