By César G. Rodriguez
Laredo Morning Times
LAREDO, Texas — For his hard work and dedication, Michael Medina garnered the Webb County Sheriff’s Office Top Correctional Officer Award on Tuesday morning.
In celebration of 2014 National Correctional Officer Week, Medina was one of 14 correctional officers recognized for their work inside the county jail.
“I’ve always liked law enforcement as a kid,” said Medina, who’s been a correctional officer for about 11 months.
Working at the sheriff’s office has given him the hands-on experience he needed, he said. Medina eventually wants to move up the ranks to become a sheriff’s deputy.
In the past three months, Medina has been instrumental in seizing contraband five times. Narcotics seized included marijuana, cocaine and Xanax.
Correctional officers are tasked with safeguarding the inmates in case something goes wrong behind bars.
They also play a vital role in placing them in appropriate cells.
If an inmate is placed inside a cell with the wrong crowd, it could lead to serious injuries, he said.
“Just because they’re inmates, it doesn’t mean we’re not going to save them,” Sheriff Martin Cuellar said.
Thirteen other officers received recognition.
The Shift Mentor Award went to Luis Lozano, Mauricio Arredondo Fermin Garcia and Chaplain Luis “Bird” Rodriguez.
The Shift Rookie Award went to Oscar Flores, Oscar Garcia, Scott Anderson and Gina Guzman.
First Man In-Last Man Out honors were bestowed to Ramiro Perez, Hortencia Avalos, Carlos Romero, Salvador Johnson and Cpl. Ramiro Flores.