kuchak. laokwansathitaya>> good evening gentlemen, and welcome to the san francisco police medal of val valor. i ask that you remain standing for the presentation of the colors and the singing of the national anthem by the daughter of captain mcfadden.

custodio. urba [presentation of colors] [singing "star spangled banner"]

>> please be seated. thank you for attending tonight's medal of valor ceremony. i am sergeant rachel kilshaw, and i am pleased to introduce these people on the stage and people behind the scenes who helped make this mead al of valor ceremony possible.

first, thank you to the san francisco coatish rite masonic center for -- scottish rite masonic center for allowing us the use of their center. thank you to monthlily mcfadden for -- molly mcfadden for singing the national anthem, and to the sf color guard. they all deserve a round of applause. [applause] >> first, i'd like to introduce honorable mayor london breed. mayor breed, thank you so much for coming tonight. it means a lot to the officers who are being honored and their families and friends, and i'd like to introduce your san francisco police commission. commission vice president mazzucco, commissioner cindy

elias, commissioner john hamasaki, and commissioner demion brookter. and now i'll introduce your command staff, chief will i don't mean scott, hector sinus, mike redmon, from the professional standards and principle policing bureau, deputy chief michael connolly, and from the administration bureau, deputy chief robert mosier. and your commanders from the field operations bureau, golden gate division -- no, from the field operations bureau investigations division, greg

mceachern, commander lozar, from the field operations bureau metro division, commander daniel perrea, pete walsh, from the airport bureau, commander greg yee, and the special operations traffic enforcement, commander teresa ewens. we are here to honor a group in the san francisco police department who displayed courage and bravery far beyond who was required of them. before we hear about their acts of valor, mayor breed would like to say a few words.

>> the hon. london breed: good evening, everyone, and thank you so much for having me here tonight. tonight, we honor the brave men and women of the san francisco police department that put their lives on the line every single day to ensure the safety of all san franciscans. before we begin, i would like to acknowledge the families of these officers who, despite their fears and anxieties, support their loved ones in this difficult and dangerous work. thank you for being here and thank you for supporting all the men and women of the san francisco police department. it is humbling to be here this evening to honor the 31 men and women that have shown acts of incredible valor and bravery in the name of service. we have officers that have pursued individuals, armed individuals, despite the danger. we have officers that have

helped secure the safety of others, putting their own lives at risk. we have officers that have been attacked, that have been shot at, and stabbed. we also have to haves that have shown amazing compassion and care, to people that are experiencing sometimes the greatest challenges of their life. and there's no secret that there's a homeless crisis in san francisco. our police officers are a critical resource in responding to this crisis with the understanding that's necessary to help our city get to a better place. to tonight's honorees, you exemplify what it means to serve everyone in san francisco. you have made me proud to stand before you as mayor to recognize the work you have done and some of you for many, many years.

you are hue rows and your city stands behind you as you continue to put your lives on the line to continue to keep every one of us safe every single day. congratulations to you for your serve, and congratulations on this incredible work. >> thank you, mayor breed. and now, we will hear from commission vice president thomas mazzucco. >> commissioner mazzucco: thank you very much. and on behalf of the police commission, i really want to thank mayor london breed for being here tonight. i think it's the first time that a mayor has been present for a ceremony that i've been to. it means a lot to the commission, the members, and the command staff. i want to give my congratulations to the family members of our medal of valor

award winners. tonight you're going to hear about their heroic efforts. how do i know that? i was there the day that these forms were brought to the command station for the medal of valor. this is the third oldest police department in the country, and we have a process where the only folks allowed to be in the room to review these are the rank of captain and above, the police commission secretary, and the police commissioner. you learn about the roles of these officers, and it's a process. the process starts with their captain recommending the process for the medal of valor. that's reviewed by a committee, and once it makes its way through the committee, it makes

its way to the commission and the chief in the public safety building, and there's some hard questions asked by the command staff of the officers. i'll have to say this time, it's my third time doing it. it was very emotional. there was tears shed, and there was some amazing events. at one point during this, they asked the officers, do you have anything to add, and there's two answers we always get, i was just doing my job or i want to thank so-and-so for saving my life. it's powerful. nobody took credit for what they did. to the family members, you're going to hear tonight -- i'm sure most of them didn't tell you what happened. i can tell you from being in the room that day, it was the first time that some of those officers realized what they have done.

and then, part of this process, there's a vote, and there's a box from the 1800's. a wooden box, and in it are different colored marbles for gold, bloronze, and silver. and that comes back to myself and my secretary. after four years of law school, we count marbles, and we count them, and you have to have a majority of one color to win. i've done this three times, and this is the most incredible act of heroism i've ever seen. for my new commissioners who are here for the first time, i can't wait until you have that opportunity. but to the family members, after you leave here tonight, after you hear what they've done, give

them a hug and tell them you're proud to have them serve because they work hard every day to protect us and our other officers. we're blessed and honored to have you as members of the san francisco police department. thank you. [applause] >> and now, chief scott would like to say a few words. >> thank you. good evening, everyone. i'm going to be very brief with my remarks, and i'm going to start by saying thank you. thank you to mayor breed, and commissioner mazzucco, and the commission for being here. valor is strapped in the face of danger. after being on the commission for 29 years, i echo what commissioner mazzucco said. we get to live through the

bravery of the officers doing their jobs. the story you will hear tonight is not only about what this department is all about, but what this profession is all about. this profession is built on a foundation of courage, honor, and self-less acts to protect others. there was a lot of emotion in the room during the choosing of these awards, and it was felt not only by the officers that were involved in these incidents, but by all of us that was in the room because we understand just how much courage it takes to do what you all have done. i'm extremely proud to stand here before you as your chief of police to say thank you. we're proud of you. i know many of you probably don't go home and tell your stories to your families, but to your family members and the friends, if you're hearing about it for the first time, it's

really some amazing work. so thank you for what you do, and thank you for being here tonight with us. [applause] >> and now, the commanding officers will read the awards citations for each of the officers. first, can we have captain joe engler, and sergeants maguire and officers peterson and tursi approach the stage. >> thank you, everyone. it's my great honor to read

tonight on behalf of the three officers to my right. the following officers were nominated by their lieutenant, greg cane, and then, commanding officer captain greg mceachern, then commander mceachern. sergeant thomas maguire, officer don peterson, and officer michael tursi. so on tuesday, march 27, 2018 northern police station receives a call from one of their confidential informant. it informed them that there was a vehicle on the corner of pine and vanness being driven by a female. sergeant peterson, officer maguire and tursi, they immediate responded to the area to investigate. officer peterson drives the

unmarked vehicle southbound towards vanness street. as officer peterson pulled into the chevron station, the officers began to visually search the gas station for the potential stolen vehicle. as officer peterson drove to the rear of the station's lot, they spotted the blue jetta being driven by that female who was driving towards them. as soon as the suspect say the officers, they noticed the look on her face that alerted them that something was wrong. as the officers recognized the suspect's flight or fight reaction to their presence, sergeant maguire quickly exited the car from his front seat position while officer tursi did the same from the rear passenger side, both officers with their police stars hanging from their necks ran towards the suspect

vehicle while giving verbal commands to the suspect, stop your car. officer tursi was able to open the passenger door for a moment before the suspect recklessly whipped the vehicle back yards and slams into the -- backwards and slams into the wall of the gas station. officer tursi was able to release the vehicle and avoid being run over. the suspect vehicle put the car in drive and sped through the gas station parking lot towards the driveway on pine street, total disregard for public safety. at one point, the suspect vehicle narrowly misses an innocent bystander on the sidewalk sitting on a moped. and then, that moped pulls into the gas station lot. so with the suspect vehicle barrelling out of the parking lot and into commute traffic on pine street, sergeant maguire broadcasts the information to headquarters. sergeant maguire and officer tursi realed the suspect was headed into congested traffic.

that traffic wasn't moving. there were also numerous potential victims, so they get out, they pursue on foot. while officer peterson drove the car onto pine street, and he parks it on the south side of the block. it seems as though this otherwise routine investigation was now turning into a life or death situation. the suspect vehicle now crosses wine street after hitting yet another car and was able to speed westbound on pine street, recklessly driving in the parking incompetent lane on the south side of pine street. as the three officers continue their pursuit, they see the suspect's car slam into a car parked on frank lynn street. a couple of passengers just exited that car. they were seconds from being struck. officer tursi catches up to the suspect's car. he attempts to break the window, the suspect reverses the car, again, slams into a building. officer tursi and maguire who

were now in a disadvantaged position were somehow able to avoid being run hour. the car accelerated forward, headed to vanness avenue, which is one of the busiest streets in san francisco. the suspect vehicle was running into vehicles and potentially going to hit a pedestrian. the suspect had turned the vehicle into a 3,000 pound battering ram and slamming everything in its path. it was clear for the officers that the likely out come was severe injury, even death because of this fleeing felon. sergeant peterson was able to broadcast that deadly force may be the only option to disengage the vehicle from the continued path. the suspect vehicle almost hit a motorcycle. the next car was in the

suspect's path. it's now parked and unattended. the suspect careens off the police vehicle and continues eastbound pine, exactly where officer peterson was standing. the officer hit another vehicle who was headed towards vanness avenue. sergeant peterson and maguire had located themselves on the sidewalk as to not get run over by the vehicle. the vehicle then hits an on coming car, promptly reverses direction in another attempt to avoid being caught. officer tursi realizes his fellow officers, as well as everyone on the street were in imminent danger. the officers realized the substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury that the escapant poses to herself and the city as large should her lawless flight continue. having exhausted all other means

of apprehension, officer tursi fired two rounds into the direction of the suspect's vehicle. following the shots, they heard the suspect's accelerate higher. officer tursi and sergeant maguire, they fired again at the suspect. the suspect was struck and incapacitated, ultimately taken into custody. these officers immediately summoned an ambulance. same person was trying to strike them with the car, they administer first aid. the suspect excusuccumbs to the injuries a short time later. the citizen on the motorcycle approaches the officers and says thank you. you saved my life. for these extreme acts of bravery, the officers are being

awarded the bronze medal of valor, and i sincerely and proudly congratulate each of you for your continued dedication to safety, service, and for dealing with these very extreme

circumstances. congratulations. [applause] >> next, captain una bailey, the commanding officer the park

station and officers alvaro, cummings, and keating. >> good evening, everybody. it is my honor tonight to recognize three very brave officers who in the face of danger saved a life. these officers are officer jeremy cummings, officer cornelious cummings, and mark keating. on sunday night, july 30, 2017 at approximately midnight, the park district received shots

fired call for service at 2443 15th street. the caller advised dispatch that she was hiding in her garage, awaiting police arrival, to direct police to the house where the shots were fired. officers recognized this address from previous contacts where a number of long guns, shotguns, handguns, high powered rifle cartridges and approximately 30,000 rounds of ammunition had been seized by police approximately a month prior to this incident. officers knew the subject had prior military experience with weapons and was possibly in possession of weapons. responding units advised that they observed movement at the window of the target residence. upon arrival, sergeant pascuenzo recognized the address from prior contacts. the person suffered from para-moy a, and it was unclear

if he was under the care of a professional. to protect residents in the area, the sergeant began directing responding units to establish an exterior perimeter to observe all sides of the target house and to close off all access to vehicular and pedestrian traffic. the sergeant called the suspect's telephone number and began to talk to him. in that conversation, the suspect told sergeant pascuenza that he had accidently shot his mother in the back room of the residence, and she was crying out in pain for help. the sergeant relayed that information via dispatch, and this incident quickly armed into an armed barricaded suspect with a possibly critically injured victim, essentially a critical incident. having this information, sergeant callaway formed several

officers to makeup a dynamic entry team in case they needed to take quick action to save the lives of ragsdale's mother. officers could see that the suspect was wearing body arm once he came outside the residence, and went back in the residence and closed the door. sergeant pascuenza maintained telephone communication with the suspect over the telephone, fearing for the one victim's life who had been shot. police were uncertain as to how many people who were in the residence or if there were more possible victims inside. the sergeant persuaded the suspect to bring the injured victim out so he could help her obtain desperately needed medical care. the suspect told sergeant

pascuenza out. sergeant pascuenza advised that the suspect would be bringing the victim outside. the door of the target residence was opened again. the sergeant advised via radio he was still talking on the phone to the suspect. the suspect dragged his mom out of the house through the front door on a blanket and left her at the top of the stairs. the suspect returned back inside the residence and closed the door. knowing that time was of the essence, sergeant callaway and his officers placed themselves in harm's way to rescue a seriously wounded gun shot victim as the suspect watched. the officers extracted the victim from the stairs who

suffered a gun shot wound and she needed treatment for her life threatening injuries. the officers picked up the gun shot victim, protecting her head, as they carried her, lifting her in their arms off the stairs of the residence, carrying her and running in unison downhill, just a little over a block away to the staged paramedic unit. the officers recognized the risk and danger to their lives during this contact with the suspect. the rescue of the victim was great. in this incident, the officers had no shields, only their class grade uniforms, bulletproof vests, and department issued equipments. despite the officers heroic everies, the victim eventually succumbed to the injuries.

after 17 hours, the suspect shot himself in the chest and surrendered to the officers. tonight, due to the officer's attempts to bring the victim to safety and risk to their lives, they are to receive the bronze medal of valor. well done.

[applause] >> next, captain carl cabri of tenderloin station, please come

forward. >> good evening, everyone. it's my honor to tell you about the incident that led to officers custodio and shall ban owe being awarded the medal of valor. they were assigned as uniform patrol to the midmarket street foot beats in patrolling the 1000 mock of market street. at approximately 1456 hours, the officers were inside of 1019 market street when they heard three to four gun shots outside. they looked outside and saw people running from the area. based on what they saw and heard, officers custodio and urbano believed that a the on thing was occurring and immediately ran outside toward the sound of gun shots.

as they were running across the street, officers custodio and urbano observed a suspect holding a black handgun and shooting toward a crowd on market street of approximately 15 to 20 people. officers custodio and urbano approached the suspect. with their department issued firearms drawn, officers custodio and urbano ordered the suspect to drop the gun. the suspect looked at the officers, dropped the gun, and ran away from them. officer custodio ran after the suspect and was able to take him into custody. while this was occurring, officer urbano secured the gun discarded by the suspect and broadcast information over the radio for responding units. throughout this brief by chaotic event, officers custodio and urbano had the presence of mind

to broadcast information over the radio, activate their body worn cameras and apprehend a second suspect on scene and take them into custody. without their immediate and valiant actions, innocent lives would likely have been taken on that day. based on the actions of officer cowed yo and urbano, they have been awarded the bronze medal of

valor. [applause] >> next, we have the commanding officer of mission state and officers anderson and champlin. please -- mission station, and officers anderson and champlin. please come forward. >> good evening, everyone.

on december 12, 2017, officer thomas anderson and ryan champlin were working the mission district, the midnight watch. the officers responded to 179 julian avenue regarding a female attempting to hang herself. the female was last seen walking up the stairs of a building with some type of wire, stating she was going to hang herself. upon arrival, officer anderson and champlin were directed to the firescape located on the third building. the fire escape is attached to the exterior wall of the building, consisting of a grate approximately 3 feet in depth with a metal railing approximately 3 feet in height. they're very small, and they look pretty fragile.

officer chapman exited the third floor fair escape and located the female. the female had secured one end of what now they found out was jumper cables that she was using around her neck and had tide the other end to the fire escape. as soon as the female saw the officers, one of the officers had attempted to jump over the rail, and she tried to hang herself. officer chapman grabbed the female's arm to prevent her from going over the edge of the railing. the female immediately tensed up. her body was so tense that she began to scream, loud: no. no. she began to pull away from officer champlin. back towards the railing, officer anderson broadcast their emergency over the air, that

they needed assistance. the female still attempted to jump over the fire escape. officer champlin maintained the grasp of the female as she continued to try to break free and throw herself over the railing. officer anderson assisted officer champlin in attempting to pull the female over the railing. the female was attempting to push officer champlin away from him, and instead, she pushes him to the rail, which his thigh contacted the rail and almost pushed him over. the female slid down the steps towards the bottom, to the second floor, and she still fixed with the cable around her neck. she continues in her efforts to hang herself. officer champlin was able to hold onto the female.

officer champlin cut the cables to her, but before that happened, the female had pushed officer champlin to the side where his side was bent over the rail, and officer anderson noticed that he was about to fall -- officer champlin was about to fall over the rail with the female. thank god for the quick, heroics of officer anderson. he was able to grab ahold of both of them and bring them back to safety. numerous units responded to assist, and they were able to finally detain the individual and get her the help that she needed. officer champlin and all the other officers had to make a split second decision to risk their own lives and to save the

life of a female wanting to take her own life. this incident all unfolded on a small fire escape that we know well is a -- dangerous to all, but they decided to put their lives at risk to save someone's live. for these acts of bravery, and the heroics of them deciding to forget about themselves and protect a human life, officer thomas anderson and officer ryan champlin are awarded the bronze medal of valor.

[applause] >> next, commander dave lozar, the prior commanding officer of central station. >> if i also can ask captain pauli to come up, commanding