Anival Avila
Correctional 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, with approximately three hundred inmates, a one-on-one fight started. While responding staff were attempting to quell the incident, approximately 130 inmates, began rushing and attacking the officers. Officer Anival Avila responded to the fight. As the combative inmates were being separated, a large group of inmates - who had previously been in a prone position - got up on their feet and ran towards the officers. Officer Avila gave orders to which no inmates complied. Officer Avila heard someone say 'get the gate'. Officer Avila attempted to close the gate, but was unable to as inmates reached the gate and began attacking him before he could secure it. Officer Avila saw a large group of inmates attacking his yard sergeant. Fearing that the sergeant would receive great bodily injury due to the number of attacking inmates, Officer Avila made his way to assist him utilizing his baton as inmates were attacking and hitting him. Fearing for his own life, and the lives of his fellow officers, he utilized his baton not knowing if and where the baton strikes made contact. Officer Avila was quickly overpowered and was trapped on the fence. He was hit several times in the head and upper torso by several inmates. As an inmate grabbed Officer Avila's baton, Officer Avila was able to maintain his grip and maintain control of his baton.
With no regard for his own safety, Officer Avila’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 Anival Avila.