LOS ANGELES AIRPORT POLICE OFFICERS TO RECEIVE HIGHEST AWARD IN THE STATE, THE GOVERNOR’S PUBLIC SAFETY MEDAL OF VALOR AWARD ON SEPTEMBER 15

         (Los Angeles, California -- August 28, 2014) Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Police Sergeant Steve Zouzounis and Officers David Lalicker, Brian Lopez, Robert Pedregon, Raymond Woods and Daniel Yu have been announced as recipients of the Governor’s Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor Award for their heroic actions during the November 1st shooting at Terminal 3.

         The Medal of Valor Award is the State of California’s highest honor awarded to a public safety officer. The Governor is authorized to award the Medal of Valor to one or more persons who are cited by the Attorney General for their extraordinary valor above and beyond the call of duty. The Department of Justice is tasked with overseeing this award program. 

         Sgt. Zouzounis is an 11-year veteran of the LAX Airport Police Division currently assigned as Detective Supervisor on the LAX Crime Task Force. Officers David Lalicker and Daniel Yu, with six and 10 years on the force respectively, are assigned to Patrol Services Division. Officer Brian Lopez has served seven years with Airport Police and is currently assigned to the Vulnerability Analysis and Assessment Unit. And Officers Robert Pedregon, a five-year veteran of LAX Airport Police, and Raymond Woods, a 13-year veteran, are both assigned as Motor Officers.

         "This award not only is a tribute to each of these officers, it’s also a tribute to all our Airport Police and our agency," Chief Patrick Gannon said. "I am incredibly proud of each and every one of the recipients of this prestigious award. Their actions on November 1st were and went above and beyond what they are charged with handling each day. Their bravery in the face of chaos was admirable and I am proud to serve with officers of their caliber."

         The ceremony will be held on Monday, September 15, 2014 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the State Capitol in the Governor’s Council Room, located at 1303 10th Street, Sacramento, California, Sacramento.

         The Los Angeles Airport Police Division is the nation's premier aviation law enforcement agency with over 1,100 specially trained police officers, security officers, and civilian staff protecting Los Angeles International (LAX), LA/Ontario International (ONT), and Van Nuys (VNY) airports.