NATIONAL MILITARY ORDER OF THE WORLD WARS OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE AWARD

October 24, 2023

El Paso, Texas – On June 19, 2022, the El Paso County Sheriff's Office received a call about a structure fire at 3900 Vanderveer. Upon arriving, a Deputy escorted the family to safety. During the investigation, Deputies discovered that an off-duty Detention Officer, Daniel Cardenas, had rushed into the burning building to retrieve necessary religious items and property. He identified himself to the Deputies, explaining that he had been driving home and saw the large fire. The family's mother was hesitant to leave without her belongings, but Cardenas convinced her she could replace the material possessions, not a life. He was awarded the El Paso Sheriff's Office Life Saving Medal for his bravery by Honorable Sheriff Richard D. Wiles.

The El Paso County Sheriff's Office submitted Cardenas' name for the Lifesaving Award through the Greater El Paso Chapter of the Military Order of World Wars. On March 18, 2023, the Greater El Paso Chapter of the Military Order of World Wars held a meeting at Applebee's on George Dieter, where the Chapter presented Cardenas' with a Certificate of Appreciation Lifesaving Award. Without Cardenas' quick actions, the victims could have sustained permanent, debilitating injuries or worse. Instead, his bravery and selflessness saved the lives of the family.

On October 21, 2023, the Greater El Paso Chapter of the Military Order of World Wars held another meeting at the exact location where Cardenas received an additional award for the Individual Law & Order Outstanding Performance Award and the Outstanding Law & Order Service Award. The National Public Service Law & Order Committee at the National Military Order of World Wars Convention selected him for these prestigious awards. The El Paso County Sheriff's Office congratulates Peace Officer Cadet Daniel Cardenas on his accomplishments and is proud to call him one of their own.