7 Citizens Honored for Acts of Courage

Seven people who risked injury or death to help a crime victim were honored Tuesday by Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Gil Garcetti and the Northridge/Chatsworth and Granada Hills Rotary clubs.

One of those honored with a “Courageous Citizen” award was Victor Ruelas, who whisked a bleeding boy to safety after the child was shot at the North Valley Jewish Community Center in August by a self-proclaimed anti-Semitic gunman. Once Ruelas got the boy to a safe place, he performed first aid until a teacher arrived.

“There were a lot of heroes that day,” said Ruelas, 19, who now works at the Valley Cities Jewish Community Center in Sherman Oaks and will begin his college studies in January at College of the Canyons in Valencia. “I still think about it. I still can’t believe it happened.”

Ruelas’ fearless actions exemplify those of the other recipients.

“This is the kind of news that gives people renewed hope,” Garcetti said before the ceremony began at Porter Valley Country Club in Northridge. “[The honorees] put themselves at risk, disregarded that and helped anyway.”

Others receiving awards were Jared Persten--radio personality Brian Roberts--who wrestled a man to the ground during a robbery at a McDonald’s restaurant; Elizabeth Bjorklund, who chased down a purse snatcher who had robbed an elderly woman; Alex Torres, 15, who fought a gang member who was attacking a park and recreation director; Giorgio Enjaian and Zara Sultanian, who thwarted a residential burglary in North Hollywood; and Vladislav Kasurkin, who stopped a man from attacking a Van Nuys restaurateur.

Two to three dozen people annually receive “Courageous Citizen” awards from the district attorney in ceremonies held throughout the county, said administrative assistant Mark McKinniss. Individuals are nominated by deputy district attorneys, district attorney investigators or victim advocate workers. Those honored are chosen by a committee of district attorney’s office employees.