Two Sonoma County sheriff’s deputies have received the Carnegie Medal of Heroism for rescuing a woman from the Russian River rapids last year.
Sergeant Gary Lawson, now retired, swam more than 75 feet through swift currents to reach the 38-year-old woman, carrying her one-thousand feet downstream to a small island. Deputy Cody McCready helped restrain her until firefighters brought her to shore.
The medal honors civilians who risk death or serious injury to save others.