Heroic Lifeguards Honored With Medals Of Valor In Playa Del Rey

MARINA DEL REY, CA – Thirteen ocean lifeguards and 3 non-lifeguards were honored for demonstrating exemplary and extraordinary courage by the California Surf Life Saving Association. These acts of herosim were recognized in a presentation during CSLSA's Spring Board of Directors meeting at the Dockweiler Youth Center in Playa Del Rey, according to the CSLSA press release.

In addition to the Medal of Valor award, Heroic Act and Meritorious Act awards were also presented.

“It was our honor to recognize these individuals who demonstrated bravery and a selfless commitment to the safety of beachgoers in California,” said Bill Humphreys, president of the CSLSA. “Their heroism is inspirational and worthy of recognition.”

Los Angeles County Ocean Lifeguard Specialists Brian Kari and Matt Rhodes were honored with the Medal of Valor; Rescue Boat Captains Lance Dempsey and Rob Pelkey, and Catalina Island Conservancy Ranger Dan Black received Heroic Act Awards for their role in a rescue on June 25, 2016 involving seven victims and a capsized boat in 8-foot waves on the rocky backside of Catalina Island, the press release said.

LA County Ocean Lifeguard John Newton was presented with a Meritorious Act Award for his off-duty rescue of an unconscious surfer on March 16, 2017. He performed CPR, and the surfer was able to fully recover after several days in the hospital, according to CSLSA.

Oceanside Lifeguards Tyson Cleveland, Victor Dhillon, Nicholas Kelley, Emile Lagendijk, Matt Mattison, Dieter Swank and Camp Pendleton Lifeguard Marko Lagendijk were presented the Medal of Valor. Oceanside Police Officer Jonathan Hoover and Camp Pendleton Lifeguard Canaan Knapp were honored with Heroic Act Awards. The group rescued a jet-skier who crashed into the Oceanside Harbor Del Mar Jetty. Battling crashing waves of up to 14-feet, the lifeguards protected, and rescued the victim from a crevice in the jagged rocks and large waves, the press release said.

Eric Einertson, a civilian who was surfing at a popular break known as “Churches” off of San Onofre State Beach on April 4, 2017 and rescued shark attack victim Leeanne Ericson received a Meritorious Act Award. Einertson used a surfboard leash as a tourniquet to help control the victim’s bleeding until paramedics could arrive.

Photo: Pictured (from left to right) is CSLSA's Bill Richardson, Kari, Pelkey, LA County Acting Lifeguard Chief Fernando Boiteux, Newton, Lifeguard Section Chief Chris Linkletter, CSLSA president Bill Humphries. Photo courtesy of CSLSA