COUNTYWIDE : Officers, Civilians Honored for Valor

Seven law enforcement officers in Ventura County were honored Saturday by the county’s Peace Officers Assn. for performing heroic acts.

Receiving the top award--the Medal of Valor--were Deputies William Grund, Ronald Green, Jimmy Joe Henderson, John Popp and Steven R. Smith and Sgt. Will Howe--all of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department.

Officer Leonard Newcomb of the Oxnard Police Department received the Medal of Merit, an honor given to a law enforcement officer who went beyond the call of duty, but did not endanger his life in doing so.

Smith won the Medal of Valor for using his body to shield an unconscious driver from flames after a multi-car collision on California 118 last year.

Henderson earned a Medal of Valor for two separate heroic actions.

He entered a gas-filled house that was in danger of blowing up and arrested a suicidal suspect on Feb. 25, 1989.

Four months later, Henderson rescued a woman being held hostage by her ex-boyfriend.

Private citizens receiving the Medal of Merit, the highest honor for which they are eligible, were Jim Eads, Marisa Shipp, Richard Vacherot, Denise Boczek, Laurie Baca, Tim Donoghue, Bob Lemon, Chad Carper and Gerald Saavedra.