San Bernardino County Deputies Awarded Congressional Badge Of Bravery For Heroism During Dorner Shootout

SAN BERNARDINO (CBSLA.com) — Three San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department deputies were honored Tuesday with the Congressional Badge of Bravery for actions they took to rescue fellow deputies during a deadly standoff with ex-cop Christopher Dorner in 2013. A fourth deputy was honored for a separate act of heroism.

In February 2013, Dorner barricaded himself in a cabin near Big Bear Lake and engaged in a shootout with deputies. He shot two deputies and later took his life in the burned cabin.

Those honored Tuesday were Sgt. Larry Lopez and detectives Justin Musella and Daniel Rosa, who all played roles in rescuing two wounded deputies -- Jeremiah MacKay, who died from his wounds, and Alex Collins, who survived and has returned to the department. 

In the rescue, the deputies created a smokescreen that allowed them to venture out and move the fallen deputies off a road and to safer ground.

"They left their cover, exposing themselves to gunfire and dragged Collins and MacKay to safer positions," Rep. Pete Aguilar said at Tuesday's ceremony.

The experience still weighs heavily on the minds of those in the department.

"For me, this is a very humble experience," Lopez said. "You know, this puts closure to everything that went on."

Deputy Arturo Ramirez was also honored with the badge Tuesday for his actions in rushing into a burning Victorville apartment building in 2013 to a woman and her infant and toddler.