FV Cops Honored for Heroism

Twelve Fountain Valley police officers were honored with medals Thursday for performing above and beyond the call of duty.

“The members of this department show courage and commitment of duty,” Police Chief Paul Sorrell said. “Our personnel take their responsibilities very seriously”.

The medal for lifesaving was awarded for either saving or sustaining another human’s life. Officers A.J. Knight, Rick Nilos and Julio Vega received this honor.

Medals of merit and courage were given to the officers who responded to the Dandelion Court shooting on Nov. 5. Officer Brian Mosher was awarded the medal of merit for staying with a wounded Theresa Yancey in the face of potential danger the shooter might have still been in the area.

Sgt. Geoff Beckwith, senior Officer Mike Parsons, and officers Jerome Cheatham, Henry Hsu and Sergio Rodriguez were awarded the medal of courage for their efforts to find the shooter, Randall Yancey, who had run inside the house. The officers eventually found the bodies of Randall and the couple's 8-year-old daughter, Madison.

The medal of valor, which honors officers officers in situations where the risk to the officer’s life actually exists, was awarded to Sgt. Kurt Ulrich, senior Officer Pat Estes and officers Rick Nilos and Kham Vang for their actions on Dec. 28, when assaulted officers during an attempted home burglary.

“I am incredibly proud of not only your actions,” Sorrell said to the officers, “but who you are and what you represent."