2006–2007 Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor
Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Sedgwick, Commander Miguel Galvez, Detective Raymond Robertson, Firefighter Brian Rothell (2005-2006 winner), Mrs. Maria Sentner, Attorney General Michael Mukasey, Lieutenant Carlos Thompson, Officer David Goitia, and BJA Director Domingo Herraiz
Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor Recipients:
- Commander Miguel Galvez
- Officer David Goitia
- Detective Raymond Robertson
- Special Agent William Sentner
- Lieutenant Carlos Thompson
Commander Miguel Galvez
Opa-Locka Police Department, Miami, FL
On Friday, October 13, 2006, then Detective Miguel Galvez of the Opa-Locka, FL, Police Department and Detective Raymond Robertson of the Miami-Dade, FL, Police Department were engaged in surveillance activities for a narcotics operation. Having received information that large quantities of narcotics and firearms were being stored in an abandoned apartment in the area, they drove to the apartment complex’s parking lot. A subject approached their vehicle holding a firearm. Detective Robertson attempted to back out of the lot, but another vehicle blocked their route of escape by intentionally rear-ending their vehicle. The initial subject then opened the driver’s side door and began firing his weapon. During the subsequent exchange of gunfire, the subject was hit once in the abdomen and fell to the ground a short distance from the driver’s side door of the detectives’ vehicle. While lying on the ground, the subject continued to fire shots in the direction of the detectives’ vehicle. At this point, two additional subjects began shooting at the detectives. Still trapped inside their vehicle, the detectives were now being fired at by three subjects simultaneously.
During this exchange of gunshots, Detective Robertson was shot multiple times. He was first shot in the right forearm, forcing him to switch his gun to his non-dominant hand, then in his left forearm. Even though he was losing strength in both of his hands, he managed to exchange magazines and continue firing. Another shot grazed his right ear, and he was shot three times in the chest area, which was protected by a bulletproof vest. In an effort to take cover outside of the vehicle, Detective Galvez began to exit the passenger side but was struck in the leg when the subject vehicle rammed the passenger door, causing him to drop his firearm. Despite his injuries, Detective Robertson covered Detective Galvez as Detective Galvez escaped through a hole in the fence. Detective Robertson also made a run to safety. They raced about 100 yards to a convenience store, with the subjects in pursuit. Detective Robertson, who was losing consciousness, relinquished his firearm to Detective Galvez, who kept the subjects at bay and called for back-up.
The initial subject attempted to run from the scene and was found dead in the rear of the parking lot. After an extensive and in-depth investigation, the two additional subjects were identified and arrested, and were awaiting trial at the time of this nomination. Both subjects had extensive criminal pasts. Detective Raymond Robertson is also a recipient of the 2006-2007 Medal of Valor.
Officer David Goitia
Glendale Police Department, Glendale, AZ
On Monday, February 19, 2007, Officer David Goitia of the Glendale (AZ) Police Department, and his partner Officer Anthony Holly, stopped a car, which had fictitious license plates and was occupied by three subjects. A male passenger, who had falsely identified himself, was being extracted from the car for further investigation when the subject suddenly produced a gun and fired at Officer Goitia’s partner, Officer Anthony Holly, fatally striking him in the head. A gun battle then raged along the street for more than 50 feet, during which time the assailant, a wanted felon, fired multiple shots at Officer Goitia, who returned fire and struck the suspect in the leg. Still armed, the assailant crawled away while continuing to fire at Officer Goitia. Officer Goitia, with little regard for his own safety and at great risk, abandoned the cover of a nearby car to return to Officer Holly’s side to render aid. Knowing that Officer Holly was critically injured, Officer Goitia dragged his wounded partner for more than 50 feet out of the line of fire and to a position of cover. He then directed emergency services to evacuate Officer Holly to a nearby fire department unit. Efforts to save Officer Holly were, tragically, not successful as he had died instantly. The assailant was subsequently taken into custody.
Detective Raymond Robertson
Miami-Dade Police Department, Miami, FL
On Friday, October 13, 2006, Detective Raymond Robertson of the Miami-Dade, FL, Police Department and Detective Miguel Galvez of the Opa-Locka, FL, Police Department and were engaged in surveillance activities for a narcotics operation. Having received information that large quantities of narcotics and firearms were being stored in an abandoned apartment in the area, they drove to the apartment complex’s parking lot. A subject approached their vehicle holding a firearm. Detective Robertson attempted to back out of the lot, but another vehicle blocked their route of escape by intentionally rear-ending their vehicle. The initial subject then opened the driver’s side door and began firing his weapon. During the subsequent exchange of gunfire, the subject was hit once in the abdomen and fell to the ground a short distance from the driver’s side door of the detectives’ vehicle. While lying on the ground, the subject continued to fire shots in the direction of the detectives’ vehicle. At this point, two additional subjects began shooting at the detectives. Still trapped inside their vehicle, the detectives were now being fired at by three subjects simultaneously.
During this exchange of gunshots, Detective Robertson was shot multiple times. He was first shot in the right forearm, forcing him to switch his gun to his non-dominant hand, then in his left forearm. Even though he was losing strength in both of his hands, he managed to exchange magazines and continue firing. Another shot grazed his right ear, and he was shot three times in the chest area, which was protected by a bulletproof vest. In an effort to take cover outside of the vehicle, Detective Galvez began to exit the passenger side but was struck in the leg when the subject vehicle rammed the passenger door, causing him to drop his firearm. Despite his injuries, Detective Robertson covered Detective Galvez as Detective Galvez escaped through a hole in the fence. Detective Robertson also made a run to safety. They raced about 100 yards to a convenience store, with the subjects in pursuit. Detective Robertson, who was losing consciousness, relinquished his firearm to Detective Galvez, who kept the subjects at bay and called for back-up.
The initial subject attempted to run from the scene and was found dead in the rear of the parking lot. After an extensive and in-depth investigation, the two additional subjects were identified and arrested, and were awaiting trial at the time of this nomination. Both subjects had extensive criminal pasts. Detective Miguel Galvez is also a recipient of the 2006-2007 Medal of Valor.
Special Agent William Sentner, III (posthumously)
U.S. Department of Justice, Miami, FL
On Wednesday, June 21, 2006, Special Agent William Sentner of the Miami, FL, Field Office, Investigations Division, Office of Inspector General (OIG) was working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in an investigation involving corrupt prison guards in a federal prison facility in Tallahassee, Florida. As a result of the investigation, six prison guards were indicted for sexually abusing female inmates, smuggling contraband into the institution, and threatening the inmates with retaliation if they exposed the criminal acts. Agent Sentner was part of the joint OIG/FBI team that went to the prison to arrest the six guards. At the prison, as one of the guards was being arrested, he produced a gun from his bag and began firing. The guard shot a prison lieutenant in the stomach and then shot Agent Sentner. Before the guard was able to fire at other personnel, Agent Sentner returned fire, fatally wounding him. Agent Sentner subsequently succumbed to his gunshot wound. In his last act, Sentner saved the lives of several other law enforcement officers while sacrificing his own. Special Agent Sentner’s widow, Mrs. Maria Sentner accepted the award on behalf of her husband.
Lieutenant Carlos Thompson
Mobile County Sheriff's Office, Mobile, AL
On Friday, January 26, 2007, Lieutenant Carlos Thompson of the Mobile County (AL) Sheriff's Office attempted to perform a traffic stop on a vehicle matching the description of a suspect vehicle involved in an armed robbery. The driver subsequently fled the scene at a high rate of speed. At an intersection, the driver ran through the stop sign, made a 180-degree turn, and stopped his vehicle, facing Lieutenant Thompson. The suspect began firing an assault rifle, striking Lieutenant Thompson and seriously wounding him in his lower leg and hip, rendering him unable to exit his patrol car. While returning fire, Lieutenant Thompson was struck in the right elbow by gunfire, which forced him to reload his weapon with his weak hand to continue to return fire. As the suspect approached on foot, Lieutenant Thompson, using his weak hand, was able to fatally wound the suspect. Though seriously injured, Lieutenant Thompson was able to direct his fellow deputies arriving on the scene, ensuring that the area was secure and any evidence was protected.
