2012–2013 Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor

Deputy Jenna Underwood-Nuñez,
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

On April 27, 2013, Deputy Underwood-Nuñez, five months pregnant, was off duty and at a campground with her family when she observed a boy struggling in the lake about 100 yards from shore. Fully clothed, she swam toward the victim, only to find that the boy was trying to draw attention to his brother, who was submerged in 15 feet of water.

She dove down through the murky water, found the boy at the bottom of the lake, dragged him to shore, and began life-saving measures to restore his breathing. He was airlifted to a local hospital and placed in stable condition.

Thanks to the heroic actions of Deputy Underwood-Nuñez, the 17-year-old high school student made a complete recovery.

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