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In 1981, under the direction of the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce, the Los Angeles County Lifeguards implemented an award called the Medal of Valor.

This award is presented to lifeguard personnel under the conditions that they have exhibited courage above and beyond the call of duty and risked their own lives by placing themselves under extreme personal risks. Under the designated Medal of Valor committee which consists of one Lifeguard Section Chief, one Lifeguard Captain, and members from the Chamber, a decision is formed as to whom the award(s) will be presented to.

Once the committee is formed, a reviewing process will occur with the use of a nomination form, which can be filled out by lifeguard personnel. During the review of the nomination form, the committee will contact the individuals that turned in the form and request an interview in order to understand the reason behind there selection. This nomination form can be submitted up until July 31st of each year and can be turned into the Section Chief involved with the committee.

Since the start of this prestigious award the Chamber of Commerce has given a total of fifty-five lifeguards the Medal of Valor, with two lifeguards receiving the award twice. Once the committee selects these lifeguards a dinner ceremony is scheduled as part of the kick-off of the International Surf Festival.

The 2005 Medal of Valor

Joel Gitelson – On February 12, 2005, at 0400 hours, Joel was working as the Deckhand on Rescue Boat Baywatch Isthmus. Along with Captain Lance Dempsey, Joel responded 27 miles to an emergency request by the Coast Guard for a boat in severe distress and running aground at Santa Barbara Island. In gale conditions, in the pitch black, Joel swam through shark invested waters to rescue the three passengers who were aground on the rocks.

Matt Lutton – On April 28, 2005, at 0230 hours Matt Lutton, along with Lance Dempsey, responded in 40 knot winds and driving rain to a boat running aground in Catalina Harbor. Due to severe surf and weather, as well as the age of the elderly victims, it was impossible to swim the victims back out through the surf. In the dark, with severe storm conditions, Matt hiked overland over rocks and through pounding surf to secure an escape route for the victims.

The 2005 Distinguished Service Award

Jim McDonald – On February 26, 2005, Jim responded with Joel Gitelson on Baywatch Cabrillo to a Gray whale tangled in a gill net off of San Pedro. As numerous people on board whale watching boats looked on, Jim donned SCUBA gear and managed to cut the animal free just as he was tossed airborne by the 30 ton whale.

Dave Curry – On March 21, 2005, Dave and a friend had finished surfing in the 6-8 foot surf at the Manhattan pier and were preparing to go home. Dave noticed the pier Lifeguard sprint towards the water, and he and his friend rushed to help. Dave and his friend, Steve Christian, reached two victims, caught in a massive rip current, just before the swimmers submerged.

Tom Overmire – On December 29, 2004, Tom was working out at the El Segundo Plunge. As he was swimming, Tom noticed an elderly swimmer on the bottom of the pool. Tom pulled the unconscious and non-breathing victim to the surface and began rescue efforts, including rescue breathing. The man was transported to the hospital by paramedics and made a full recovery.

James (J.T.) Mehuron – While returning from Catalina on the Catalina Express with his wife, J.T. noticed a commotion. An 80 year-old passenger had fallen overboard. It was quickly clear that the crew were unprepared to make the rescue. J.T. jumped into the harbor fully dressed, and kept the man, who had dislocated his shoulder, afloat until he could be pulled from the water.

2005 Humanitarian Award

Mickey Gallagher, Danny Douglas, Kirk Thomas, Simon Snyder, Erik Albertson, Olivier O’Connell

On May 25 th, 2005 , Sean Branch, son of County Fire Captain Norm Branch, was lost in the rapids of the Kooteney River near Libby , Montana . Responding to the need of their Fire Department brother, these six members of the Lifeguard Division’s Underwater Recovery Unit joined 11 Fire Department divers and volunteered their time to travel to Montana to search for Captain Branch’s son.

2005 Lifetime Achievement Award

Harold Dunnigan – Harold began his lifeguarding career in 1948, and has saved lives wearing the red trunks of the City of Santa Monica , the City of Los Angeles , and Los Angeles County . As well as saving thousands of lives, Harold served as a member of the Navy’s elite Underwater Demolition Unit, and as an Intelligence Officer for Seal Team 1 during Operation Desert Storm. Harold organized the L.A. City Winter Games for 10 years, the Ed Perry Regatta for 15 years, and has collected thousands of pints of blood in the 18 years he headed the LACOLA Blood Drive . Harold is an expert sailor, humanitarian, role model, and above all, a man of integrity universally admired by those lucky enough to know him.