Crew to Be Honored for River Rescue
In January, Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputy Dave Nandon and his helicopter crew spent a wet day hovering above the Ventura River, pulling stranded river bottom dwellers out of the raging water. Tonight, the Ventura Police Officers Assn. will honor Nandon and his crew members for their efforts.
The crew saved several lives during the January storms by plucking people from the rain-swollen river and a nearby mobile home park.
Rain, wind and fog made flying difficult, but the crew managed several rescues.
“It’s no big deal,” said Nandon, who pulled victims into the chopper. “We go through training for these types of rescues. I’ve done things that were a lot harder as part of my job.”
Also being honored are pilot Dan Shea and civilian volunteer Mark Smitley. Timothy Hagel, a Ventura County sheriff’s deputy, will receive a special Medal of Valor because he entered the water to save people. Smitley also entered the water but does not qualify for the Medal of Valor because he is not a law enforcement officer.
The ceremony is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Holiday Inn in Ventura.
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