The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department recognized 56 individuals for their outstanding service during its annual Exceptional Service Awards held on April 9. The ceremony honored deputies, sheriff’s volunteers, community members, doctors, and seven U.S. Marines from Twentynine Palms for actions taken across 23 separate incidents in the previous year.
The awards highlight acts of courage and selflessness that had a direct impact on saving lives and ensuring public safety. Recipients were presented with forty-seven Lifesaving Awards, seven Medals of Valor, and two Frank Bland Medals of Valor. The honored incidents included deputies providing critical aid to gunshot victims, reviving children who had stopped breathing, and rescuing injured hikers from dangerous locations.
Among those recognized was Deputy Andrew Nunez, who received the Frank Bland Medal of Valor posthumously after he distracted an armed suspect during a violent incident so that a victim could escape to safety. Deputy Nunez was fatally wounded during this encounter.
“This ceremony is a solemn reminder of the risks our deputies face and the courage they carry into every call,” said Sheriff Shannon Dicus. “Each of these recipients represents the very heart of this profession and community, placing the safety of others above their own. We are especially mindful of the ultimate sacrifice made by our fallen deputy, whose bravery will never be forgotten.”
Shannon D. Dicus serves as sheriff-coroner for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department according to the official website. The department provides law enforcement services to more than 2.1 million residents through professional collaboration with its community partners according to its official website. It operates fifteen patrol stations as well as facilities such as a dispatch center handling numerous service calls according to its official website.
The department also maintains a historical society museum dedicated to preserving its heritage according to its official website.
A video recording of the award ceremony is available online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFsRZSx1-KA.
