Crime & Safety
County Sheriffs Honored
The deputies were awarded the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office Medal of Valor.
By Bay City News
Five members of the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office were commended at a special ceremony in Redwood City Thursday morning for showing their extreme heroism in two separate incidents.
Sheriff's Sgt. Saul Lopez, Deputy Mike Seidler and Deputy Edgar Manilla were honored for going above and beyond the call of duty at a house fire in mid February.
The deputies ran into a burning Moss Beach home to save the lives of two young girls and a pet dog on Feb. 18.
The deputies were first on scene and were told that the girls were sleeping in an upstairs bedroom.
Without hesitation, the deputies entered the home and grabbed the girls and carried them to safety. The deputies and the girls were treated for smoke inhalation.
The deputies were awarded the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office Medal of Valor at a promotional and commendation ceremony at the San Mateo County History Museum in Redwood City.
According to sheriff's office public information officer Rebecca Rosenblatt, the trio was awarded the medal for "Bravely risking great bodily injury to save the lives of these children and showing a tremendous amount of courage and compassion in a difficult and perilous situation..."
Lt. Edmund Berberini and Sgt. Gary Ramos received Certificates of Commendation in the ceremony for their actions in disarming a suicidal individual late last year.
Rosenblatt said they showed bravery and risked great bodily injury to save the life of another individual.
All were given awards by San Mateo County Sheriff Greg Munks.
"We once again congratulate the decisive actions of these five members of the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office and are proud to have them with us as shining examples of the profession of law enforcement," Rosenblatt said.
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