Dale McDonald
Correctoinal Officer
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
5/24/2017
Special Act Award (Gold)
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On May 24, 2017, at 10:20 a.m., in the Pelican Bay State Prison outdoor exercise yard, holding approximately three hundred inmates, a one-on-one fight started. Correctional officers responded to the fight to stop the incident. While responding staff were attempting to quell the incident, approximately 130 inmates began rushing and attacking the officers. Officer Dale McDonald utilized pepper spray to stop the attack. Officer McDonald saw a fellow officer lying on the ground, surrounded by inmates, getting kicked and hit. Fearing the officer would be killed, Officer McDonald rushed towards him and the officer was able to regain his footing.
Officer McDonald saw his sergeant being overwhelmed by inmates. Officer McDonald knew he needed to get to his sergeant's aid or he would be killed. As Officer McDonald responded to assist his sergeant, he was hit on the side of his head causing him to fall down. While on the ground, Officer McDonald was kicked and hit continuously until staff were able to get to him and escort him off the yard for medical care. With no regard for his own safety, Officer McDonald’s heroic act saved the lives of fellow officers and inmates in the face of a large prison fight. The State of California takes great pride in presenting this Gold Medal of Valor to California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Correctional Officer Dale McDonald.
Officer McDonald saw his sergeant being overwhelmed by inmates. Officer McDonald knew he needed to get to his sergeant's aid or he would be killed. As Officer McDonald responded to assist his sergeant, he was hit on the side of his head causing him to fall down. While on the ground, Officer McDonald was kicked and hit continuously until staff were able to get to him and escort him off the yard for medical care. With no regard for his own safety, Officer McDonald’s heroic act saved the lives of fellow officers and inmates in the face of a large prison fight. The State of California takes great pride in presenting this Gold Medal of Valor to California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Correctional Officer Dale McDonald.