By Elisabeth Nardi
Contra Costa Times
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. — A paramedic who was lowered by helicopter to save an unconscious woman from a raging Walnut Creek will be awarded the 2010 Governor’s Public Safety Medal of Valor.
Dave Manzeck with the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District will receive the award Wednesday at the State Capitol, along with others from the governor’s Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor Review Board.
Manzeck saved Janet Hogan, 74, from the waters of Walnut Creek after the car she was in, driven by her son Tim, crashed into the creek April 11, 2010. Hogan and her husband, James, were swept away from the vehicle and traveled miles downstream, until Hogan was retrieved unconscious by Manzeck. Her husband and son both died; it was later discovered that Tim Hogan had some kind of medical attack that caused him to lose control of the car and end up in the rain-swollen creek.
After spotting Hogan, Manzeck was lowered from a California Highway Patrol helicopter down to her and, on the second attempt, he pulled her from the water.
Manzeck suffered a dislocated shoulder and torn ligament during the rescue.
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