These medals are not for service to the SAR, although an SAR member may certainly be honored if he meets the criteria, as can any individual of the public whose actions meet the qualifications and requirements.

Community Awards Ceremonies are typically held at every State Meeting at both the Spring Meeting of the Membership and at the Fall Board of Managers Meeting. Individuals exemplifying the conditions and requirements of each award are selected and honored at the luncheon ceremonies and presented with a medal and certificate. In some cases, the awards are made posthumously and presented to family and/or colleagues.

In addition to the presentation ceremonies, the California SAR reports all of their state level honorees to the National Society SAR. Chapters of the California SAR are also encouraged to honor members of their surrounding communities for appropriate actions, being sure to publicize and report those awards to National Society SAR Public Service and Heroism Committee.

Previous Honorees listed on this page date back to 2010 and include only those awarded by the California SAR at the state level. The best effort has been made to search records and archives. If you know of any honorees that should be added or corrected, please contact the webmaster.

Medal for Heroism

Recognizing outstanding bravery and self-sacrifice in the face of imminent danger. It is intended primarily for acts by civilians not in uniform but does not exclude police, firemen and SAR members.

2021 Honoree
Deputy Claudia Apolinar
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department

Previous Honorees

2020
Deputy Brian Bell
Sacramento County Sheriff's Department

Officer Scott Farnsworth
West Sacramento Police Department

Officer Chris Cobb
West Sacramento Police Department

2019
Sergeant Ron Helus [Posthumous Award]
Ventura County Sheriff's Department

2017
Captain John Meffert
Avalon Fire Department

2010
Lt. Timothy Reid
San Mateo County Sheriff's Office

Todd McHugh
Citrus Heights, CA

Silver Good Citizenship Medal

Recognizing outstanding and unusual patriotic achievement and service at the state or regional level. Presented to persons of prominence in the areas of government, religion, education, business and other professions and fields of endeavor.

2020 Honoree
Ron Collier
Volunteer Fire Fighter and MIAP Program Member

Previous Honorees

2015
Brennan Leininger
Anaheim, CA

2010
Compatriot Jim Fosdyck
Orange County Chapter, SAR

SAR Life Saving Medal

Presented to individuals who have acted to save a human life without necessarily placing their own life or themselves in imminent danger. The medal is primarily intended for acts by civilians not in uniform, however, police officers, fire fighters, emergency medical personnel, lifeguards, and SAR compatriots are not excluded from receiving this award.

This relatively new medal has not yet been awarded at a California SAR meeting.

Law Enforcement Commendation

Presented to those who have served with distinction and devotion in the field of law enforcement. Intended to recognize exceptional service or accomplishment in the field of law enforcement. Eligibility is not limited to peace officers but extends to the entire range of persons who make and enforce the law to include but not limited to peace officers, attorneys, judges, prosecutors and legislators who have performed an exceptional act or service beyond that normally expected.

2021 Honoree
Deputy Emmanuel Perez-Perez
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department

Previous Honorees

2020
Detective Louis Cameron
West Sacramento Police Department

2019
Lt. Matt Mahoney
UC Irvine Police Department

Detective Michael Acquarelli
Ventura Police Department

2018
Detective Gary Richter
Yolo County Sheriff’s Department

Officer Michael Pantlilio
California Highway Patrol

Chief Carlos Rojas
Bay Area Rapid Transit Police Department

Sgt. Herman Rellar (Ret.)
Contra Costa Sheriff Department

Sgt. Paul Starzyk [Posthumous Award]
Martinez Police Department

2017
Chief Mike Hamel
Irvine Police Department

Jim McDonald
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

2016
Sgt. Richard Jue
San Francisco Police Department

Deputy Jose De La Cruz
Rancho Cordova Police Department

2015
Officer Ian Crocker
Riverside Police Department

Officer Strawberry Cruz
Riverside Police Department

Sheriff Sandra Hutchins
Orange County

2014
Detective Michael Duggins
West Sacramento Police Department

Deputy Scott McCartney
Rancho Cordova Police Department

2013
Chief Jeri Williams
Oxnard Police Department

2011
Sergeant Roger Guevara
Orange County Sheriff's Department

2010
Officer Richard Kawsaki
Sacramento Police Department

Officer Matthew Suehowicz
Sacramento Police Department

Sgt. John Zwolinski
Sacramento County Sheriff's Department

Fire Safety Commendation

Presented to an individual for accomplishments and/or outstanding contributions in an area of fire safety and service. The award is not limited to firefighters. It may be presented to recognize a variety of fire safety and service that has evolved into a highly technical and skilled profession with constant study, development and involvement by numerous dedicated citizens with a single goal – protect human life and property by preventing injuries or casualties due to fire and chemicals.

2019 Honoree
Lori Zeller
Orange County Fire Authority

Previous Honorees

2018
Randy Hinkle
Foresthill Fire Protection District

Chief Daniel Winnacker
Moraga-Orinda Fire Dept.

2017
Battalion Chief Ken Shuck
Manhattan Beach Fire Department

Lori Smith
Orange County Fire Authority

2016
Greg Bertelli
CAL FIRE

2015
Scott Hutchings
Riverside Fire Department

Timothy D. Mitchell [Posthumous Award]
Avalon Fire Department (Reserve)

2014
Captain Kevin Snider
Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District

2013
Chief Mark Lorenzen
Ventura County Fire Department

2011
Captain Ron Newport
Orange County Fire Authority

2010
Fire Captain Ray Winsor

Emergency Medical Services Commendation

Presented to an individual for accomplishments and/or outstanding contributions in an area of emergency medical services. The award is primarily intended for paramedics and certified Emergency Medical Technicians and others in the medical field who have performed an act or service beyond that normally expected.

2020 Honorees
Jason Bond
Operations Manager, AMR Napa County

JohnRey Hassan
Emergency Medical Technician, Paramedic

Brianna Jones
Emergency Medical Technician

Previous Honorees

2017
Dr. Ken Miller
FEMA National Advisory Council, National EMS Advisory Council, Orange County Red Cross Medical Advisor, and others...

2016
Captain James Hudson
CAL FIRE Fire Captain and Paramedic

2015
Ben Carlson [Posthumous Award]
Newport Beach Lifeguard Department

2013
Brian Kinsley
Ventura County Fire Department

2011
Life Guard Matt Norton
Huntington Beach, CA