Policemen Honored for Heroism

Police officers Robert B. Ausmus and Robert P. Richmond of Inglewood and Larry Ely of Torrance will receive the South Bay Police and Fire Medal of Valor today for heroism while on duty in 1984.

Ely will receive the award for risking his life to get his partner to safety during a burglary and shoot-out on June 30. Ely was struck in the face by broken glass when the burglary suspect fired on his police car. His partner Pedro Velis Jr., was shot as he attempted to get out of the car. Although a bulletproof vest protected Velis from serious injury, he was unable to get to safety on his own and Ely pulled out of danger.

The wounded Velis continued to fire at the suspect while being pulled to safety. He was given the Distinguished Service Award.

Actions During Fire

Inglewood policemen Ausmus and Richmond both earned the Medal of Valor for helping save the lives of several people during an apartment building fire the morning of Oct. 21. Both men repeatedly went into the burning structure, through heavy smoke and with no protection, awakening residents and leading them to safety.

Three other officers, James L. Farrar of Torrance and Edward M. Ridens and Willard Salmon of Inglewood, will receive Distinguished Service Awards.

Ridens and Salmon are being honored for bravery during an April 11 shoot-out, and Farrar for successfully talking an armed mentally ill suspect into surrendering.

The awards will be presented during a luncheon at the Hyatt at Los Angeles hotel, 6225 W. Century Blvd.

The Medal of Valor and Distinguished Service Award are sponsored annually by the chambers of commerce of El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Peninsula, Redondo Beach and Torrance.