The Lifeguard Medal of Valor gives recognition to Los Angeles County Ocean Lifeguards for acts of heroism. The program is sponsored by the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce and was first awarded in 1981. It serves as a signal to the lifeguards that the public recognizes and appreciates the tremendous efforts they undertake. The bronze medal features a running lifeguard carrying a rescue can (buoy) and is presented to the honorees at the kickoff dinner prior to the annual International Surf Festival.
For a complete list of prior honorees please use the link above. Regiatration and contact information is also available above for those wanting to attend the event.
Scott Davey
Event Coordinator
2025 Surf Festival Dinner Honorees
2025 Medal of Valor Honoree
Rescue Boat Captain Stephan Sleeis
2025 Distinguished Service Award
Rescue Boat Captain Tim Gair
Rescue Boat Captain Jeff Martinez
Ocean Lifeguard Specialist Jeff Monroe
Ocean Lifeguard Specialist Eric Liberty
Ocean Lifeguard Specialist Matt Schafer
Redondo Beach Fire Dept. Harbor Patrol Captain Chad Smith
Redondo Beach Fire Dept. Harbor Patrol Officer Brad Godinez
Stephan Sleeis
Tim Gair
Jeff Monroe
Chad Smith
Matt Schafer
Jeff Martinez
Eric Liberty
On the evening of November 3, 2024, off Redondo Beach, Baywatch Rescue Boat vessels from the Los Angeles County Fire Department and a Harbor Patrol vessel from the Redondo Beach Fire Department responded to an overturned 26' sailboat with five victims desperately clinging to its sides. The rescuers pulled four children and an adult from the water. Victims advised rescuers that another victim may be trapped below in the vessel, and a dive operation for the sixth victim was initiated. That victim was rescued and transported to a local hospital, but did not survive.
For their heroic actions and quick-thinking in difficult ocean and weather conditions, the rescuers have been recognized with the following awards:
Medal of Valor: Rescue Boat Captain Stephan Sleeis for performing an underwater dive on an overturned sailboat to save a trapped person. Because of the hazardous, complicated and arduous nature of this, Captain Sleeis is recognized with the Medal of Valor.
Distinguished Service Award: For the rescue of four children and an adult and for supporting the dive operation by Captain Sleeis for the last victim, Los Angeles County Fire Department Lifeguard Rescue Boat Captain’s Tim Gair, Jeff Martinez and Ocean Lifeguard Specialist’s Jeff Monroe, Eric Liberty and Matt Schafer, and City of Redondo Beach Fire Department Fire Boat Captain Chad Smith and Fire Boat Specialist Brad Godinez are recognized with the Distinguished Service Award.
Brad Godinez
2025 Distinguished Service Award
L.A. Co. Beaches & Harbors Maintenance Worker Ronald White
L.A. Co. Beaches & Harbors Maintenance Worker Daniel Dillon
Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors Maintenance Worker’s Ronald White, Daniel Dillion and Nile Walker are recognized for with the Distinguished Service Award.
On the night of May 8, 2025, in Redondo Beach, as Mr. White, Mr. Dillon and Mr. Walker were finishing their duties at the Ainesworth Restroom, they heard panicked cries for help from the ocean, from two scuba divers. All three men, raced down to the water and while calling 911, helped pull a female diver who was in danger of drowning and dragged her onto the sand, helping to remove the heavy dive equipment. Quickly noticing another diver also struggling, they also assisted him ashore. Mr. White, Mr. Dillon and Mr. Walker remained on scene to monitor and later direct Redondo Beach Fire and Police to the victims.
2025 Lifeguard Lifetime Achievement Honoree
Captain Ocean Lifeguard Jim Richards - Retired
Jim Richards
Retired Lifeguard Beach Captain Jim Richards is recognized as this year’s Lifeguard Lifetime Achievement Honoree.
Captain Richards began his career as a lifeguard in 1951 working for the next 43 years for the City of Huntington Beach, City of Newport Beach, State of California, City of Santa Monica and County of Los Angeles, where he retired as a Captain in 1994. He was the Santa Monica Chief Lifeguard for ten years and assisted with the merger of that agency with Los Angeles County in 1974. In 1964, Captain Richards as the Santa Monica Chief, was one of the “five founding fathers” along with Los Angeles City, Los Angeles County, Huntington City and San Clemente to create what today is the USLA (United States Surf Lifesaving Association) which now has hundreds of agencies throughout the United States, all dedicated to saving lives through education, training and cooperation. In 1967, Captain Richards was part of the first official United States delegation of lifeguards to travel to Australia to help create an international organization for the prevention of drowning. Finally, known for coining the phrase “watch the water, stay in shape and do the right thing”, which has acted as a touchstone for what it takes to be a good lifeguard and person. Captain Jim Richards is a hero and mentor to all lifeguards, and this years Lifetime Achievement Honoree.
International Surf Festival
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