The 2017 Medal of Valor Awards were held Tuesday afternoon at the Galen Center in Los Angeles. 59 department members, two retired LASD deputies, and private citizens were honored for bravery.

Deputy Dmitry Barkon, who currently serves at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station as a training officer, was recognized for his bravery and heroic actions when responding to an active shooter situation at his previous unit of assignment, Compton Sheriff’s Station.

On March 6, 2016, Barkon responded to a call where multiple gunshot victims were located. As he arrived, he heard several gunshots coming from a large commercial building. He immediately initiated a radio broadcast, recognizing that this was an active shooter situation. He was assisted by a team of deputies and a sergeant.

It was a chaotic scene with hundreds of people frantically running out of the building. There were several gunshot victims who required immediate attention. Barkon entered the building to render lifesaving aid to victims, including one victim who was shot in the chest.

Honored along with Deputy Barkon for their heroic actions during the Compton active shooter situation were Deputies Arthur Garcia, Edward Gonsalves, Steven Kaniewski, David Navarrete, Jason Pearson, Richard Raygoza, Antonio Rios, James Sharp, and Sergeant Alex Kim.

These department members placed themselves in immediate life-threatening peril with a determination to save victims, with the full knowledge that there was an armed suspect. The Valor Awards honors those who went above and beyond the call of duty.