SHERIFF’S DEPUTY TO RECEIVE OFFICER OF THE YEAR AWARD 05-09-09
Date of Event: Saturday, May 9, 2009
Time: 11:30 AM-2:00 PM
Title of Event: Meeting of the El Paso Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars with Presentation of Law Enforcement and Volunteer of the Year Awards; Recognition of JROTC Leadership from Area Schools
Location: Fort Bliss Officers Club, Ballroom
Contact: MAJ (Ret) Ralph W. Mitchell, 637-8131(c)
The El Paso Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars is conducting its May meeting on Saturday, May 9, 2009. This meeting will recognize the Chapter’s Law Enforcement Officer and Volunteer of the Year.
Award Recipients are from the El Paso Police Department, El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, and the San Elizario Volunteer Fire Department. Additionally, members of area high school JROTC leadership (students and sponsor) will be recognized.
The El Paso Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars will present its Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award to El Paso County Sheriff’s Deputy Juan Munoz for his action on October 1, 2008 when he rescued a child from a burning car at the intersection of Yarbrough and Montana Streets.
(Original News Release below courtesy: Sheriff’s Office Archives – OCTOBER 2008)
OCTOBER 2008- Wednesday afternoon, 10-01-08 at 2:03 PM an off-duty Sheriff's Deputy in his patrol unit was at a stop light (westbound) at the intersection of Yarbrough & Montana. The Deputy saw the stop light turn green but noticed traffic was not moving. The Deputy exited his unit and saw that a Blue Ford Taurus was stalled on the right westbound lane. The Deputy then observed a woman frantically exit the car & was unable to get a small toddler out of the back seat. The Deputy quickly reacted & ran to the aid of the woman and assisted her in pulling the 2 year-old boy from the car as the engine was fully engulfed in flames. The woman & child were quickly escorted out of harms way. Sheriff's Deputy then ran to his patrol unit to retrieve a fire extinguisher & put out the flames. The mother & child were identified as Brenda Caudillo De Garay (28) & Cristian Garay (2) of the 3500 block of Gajeske, El Paso County, TX (Montana Vista area).
The Deputy Sheriff is identified as 4-year patrol veteran Juan Muñoz.
After the flames were extinguished Muñoz with the assist of other motorists who witnessed the heroic rescue were able to push the vehicle out of the lanes of travel.
No injuries were reported. The El Paso Police & Fire Departments also responded to the scene.
DEPUTY JUAN MUNOZ
On Wednesday, October 22, 2008 in a special ceremony- Deputy Juan Muñoz received the Sheriff’s Office Life Saving Award / Medal.
Additionally, the Chapter of will recognize the El Paso Police Department’s Auto Theft Task Force for its outstanding Police work during the past year .
Being recognized for Volunteer Service are Patricia Cruz, a Certified Volunteer Fire Fighter with the San Elizario Volunteer Fire Department, Mrs. Patricia Kietzke and Mr. Robert Kietzke for their service to the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.
The El Paso Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars comprised of active duty, former, and retired military officers from all branches of the Armed Forces. The El Paso Chapter is in its 49th year of existence.