ADC Awards Ceremony

ADC Awards Ceremony

February 26, 2010

On Feb. 18, the Arizona Department of Corrections (ADC) proudly recognized the dedication and commitment of its officers and staff at an awards ceremony in Tucson. The event honored the character, determination and professionalism of the men and women of the Department as they provide a valuable service to the state and the communities where they live and work.

ADC Director Charles L. Ryan presented the Medal of Valor, which is for an act of heroism that involves a conspicuous risk of life and is clearly above and beyond the call of duty, to CO II Matthew Illingworth, ASPC-Eyman. Officer Illingworth is credited with using extraordinary skills and heroism to save his own life and perhaps those of his fellow officers after he was attacked by an inmate armed with a sharpened piece of metal. Despite suffering lacerations on his face and one puncture wound, Officer Illingworth was able to assist in disarming the inmate and placing him back into custody.

Lifesaving Medals were presented for actions, which resulted in the saving, or preservation of a human life in which the rescued person would have died without the employee's direct action. Medals were given to Lt. Charles Galvan, CO IV Curtis Smith, CO II Gary Bullock and CO II Olugvenga Tepede of ASPC-Perryville, LPN Jeffery Williams, ASPC-Tucson, CO II Justin Saunders, ASPC-Lewis and finally Correctional Officers Phillip Swoope, Kevin Smiley, Michael Moore, Michael Hazen, Ronya Tweet and Chad Allen, ASPC-Eyman.

A Meritorious Service Medal was presented to Sgt. David Michael Farley from ASPC-Douglas, for performance of duty greatly exceeding the normal demands of the Department.

Director Ryan presented a Unit Citation to the ASPC-Safford Service Dog Unit, a Special Recognition Plaque to CO III Wendy Eccles, ASPC-Eyman and Community Service Plaques to CO II James Sammons and CO II Leila Pascarella, from ASPC-Florence, Sgt. Alejandro Apalategui from ASPC-Tucson and Sgt. Brian Collums from ASPC-Safford.