Two local CHP officers presented with Gold Medal of Valor for heroic act

Two El Centro area California Highway Patrol officers were honored after saving a woman who drove into the All American Canal in 2017.

According to CHP, the vehicle began to sink in the strong current but the driver was able to free herself and entered the frigid water where she grabbed and held a protruding water flow meter pole.

Officers say a motorist stopped at the scene to help but officer Gilbert Caldera arrived and formed a rescue line from two 30-foot long dog leashes. Officer Caldera threw one end of the line to the woman and descended the concrete wall to the ledge next to her.

Another CHP officer, Sergeant Jose Serrano, arrived and noticed the rescue line was untied from her and maneuvered himself along the top of an 18-inch wide concrete wall where he retrieved the end of the rescue line to lower it for Officer Caldera, officers say. Both officers were able to help the woman climb up the ladder to medical aid.

The State of California takes great pride in presenting the Gold Medal of Valor to CHP Officer Gilbert Caldera and the Silver Medal of Valor to CHP Sergeant Jose Serrano.

On October 8, 2017, California Highway Patrol Officer Pete Gavitte and Officer Whitney Lowe responded to a fire in the Atlas Peak area of Napa County.

According to officers, their helicopter arrived on scene and observed the smoke-filled air, fallen trees, and downed powerlines across multiple roadways.

Officers say they saved residents from the fire.

The State of California takes pride in presenting the Gold Medal of Valor to CHP Officer Phillip Agdeppa, Officer Pete Gavitte, Officer Whitney Lowe, and Officer Chad Millward.