Lawman Honored for Robbery Bravery

Sheriff's Investigator Marcus J. Perez received a Medal of Valor on Thursday for his role in subduing an armed robber in Lake Forest in December.

He was one of 28 law enforcement officers honored at an annual luncheon held by the Orange County Sheriff's Department.

Perez chased down Alejandro Cervantes Oregel and shot the suspect in the arm before taking him into custody. A customer and a security guard at the AT&T store Oregel robbed chased after the suspect and helped deputies catch up to him.

Oregel was struck by a pickup truck driven by a man who saw the suspect running toward a school. Perez ran up to Oregel and told him to put down his gun, but the suspect aimed it toward Perez, authorities said.

``That's something you wish you would go through your entire career and avoid,'' Perez said. ``I've been with the department for 18 years and I've never had anything close to that.''

Perez, who described receiving the Medal of Valor as ``a proud moment,'' said his civilian helpers also deserved praise.

``It takes a special kind of person who wants to get involved,'' he said.

Oregel pleaded guilty to armed robbery and is serving a 14-year prison sentence, according to sheriff's officials.

Deputies receiving the Medal for Lifesaving were Adam Koliha, Michael Bard, Melonie Bloom, Jamaal Braithwaite, Eric Brown, William Burk, Jerry Contreras, Dustin Fike, Evan Guyot, Humberto Nava, Michael Padilla, Anton Pereyra, Manuel Ramirez, Michael Woodroof and Steve Yannizzi.

Recipients of the Medal of Merit: sheriff's investigator Mike Thompson, Sgt. David Harrington, Sgt. John Hollenbeck, Deputy Ashraf Abdelmuti and Deputy Quyen Vuong.

Medal of Courage winners were Deputy Jerry Contreras, Deputy John Gomez, Deputy George Miller, Deputy Thom Spratt, and Senior Deputy Coroner Bradley
Olsen.

The Distinguished Deputy Medal was awarded to Lt. Robert Wren, and Tustin police Officer Tim Carson was honored with a Plaque for Courage.

-- City News Service