<i> Focus </i> : CHP Officer Honored With Medal of Valor

California Highway Patrol Officer Monica Alvarado recently received the state’s highest honor, the Medal of Valor, from Gov. Pete Wilson for halting a suicide attempt two years ago. When Alvarado responded to a call of a man trying to jump off a Harbor Freeway overpass, he “climbed onto the other side of the railing,” said CHP officer William Preciado. But before the man could jump, Alvarado grabbed hold of his jacket. Despite being pulled halfway over the railing, Alvarado radioed for backup and held onto the man for several minutes until help arrived. Preciado said Alvarado, 27, who grew up in Pico Rivera, “used her inner strength to reach that individual, who was much taller than her, and hold onto him.”