Good Samaritan and Public Safety personnel honored at ceremony in Somerton

The Somerton City Council Meeting held an awards ceremony to recognize a citizen and Public Safety personnel involved in a dramatic rescue effort on May 19th this Tuesday.

Cocopah Tribe Chairwoman Sherry Cordova was present during the event.

David Hooker, an Arizona Public Service employee, performed a heroic act as a Good Samaritan on May 19th.

Mr. Hooker, alongside Somerton Cocopah Fire Department, rescued two unconscious people above water after crashing an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) quad while riding into a drainage canal with water.

Paul De Anda, Chief of the Somerton Cocopah Fire Department issued the following awards:

Somerton Cocopah Fire Department’s Civilian Heroism Award

David Wayne Hooker, APS Employee

Somerton Cocopah Fire Department’s Medal of Honor

Rogelio Gonzalez, Captain Paramedic – A Shift

Clemente Ballesteros, Firefighter Paramedic

Israel Carbajal, Firefighter Paramedic

Carlos Muñoz, Firefighter Paramedic

Arturo Burruel, Firefighter EMT

Ray Smith, Battalion Chief

Somerton Cocopah Fire Department’s Outstanding Performance Medal

(Off duty personnel who responded)

Javier Hernandez, Captain Paramedic – B Shift

Hector Saenz, Firefighter EMT

Somerton Cocopah Fire Department’s Meritorious Recognition Award

Michelle Magaña, Somerton Police Captain

Araceli Juarez, Somerton Police Detective

Daniel Magdaleno, Somerton Patrol Officer

Somerton Cocopah Fire Department’s Distinguished Service Award

Mark Callaway, Somerton Public Safety Dispatcher