The Rotary Club of Pasadena played host to a solemn yet uplifting event as the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office recognized four local heroes with Courage Awards for their extraordinary interventions in violent crimes. The commendable citizens were honored for acts of valor ranging from stopping a heinous act of arson to saving a woman from a near-fatal domestic violence attack, according to the District Attorney's Office.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman expressed his deep admiration, "I continue to be in awe of the bravery displayed by regular folks when they see a stranger in need of help during or after a violent crime," he remarked, as per the District Attorney's Office. Jonathan Leyva, 37, of Pomona, and Kenneth Hwang, 35, of La Verne, were among the honorees for their quick thinking and selfless actions that stopped a life-threatening arson on a Pasadena train. They used their own jackets to extinguish flames after a woman set a man on fire twice.
Another act of courage came from 22-year-old Alanna Russell from Pomona, who demonstrated extraordinary composure by rushing to the aid of a gunshot victim she witnessed while leaving a fast-food restaurant in Azusa. Russell, utilizing her first aid training, managed to keep the severely wounded woman, later found to be a domestic violence victim, alert while emergency services were en route, despite facing intimidation from the assailant's family during the subsequent court proceedings.
Jorge Ramírez Galdamez, 44, of Victorville, also received recognition after his attempt to intervene in a domestic violence situation led to him sustaining life-altering injuries. After Galdamez and his colleague heard cries for help, they rushed to the aid of the victim, leading to Galdamez being shot by the assailant, who fled but was eventually apprehended thanks to their efforts, the District Attorney's Office detailed. Assistant District Attorney María Ramírez, who presented the awards, praised the honorees as true embodiments of civic duty and bravery. The year’s final Courage Award ceremony is set for Oct. 3 in downtown Los Angeles.
