Three Morgan Hill residents were lauded Wednesday by the police
department and the council for bravery and quick thinking in two
separate incidents on May 7 and 8.
Three Morgan Hill residents were lauded Wednesday by the police department and the council for bravery and quick thinking in two separate incidents on May 7 and 8.
Morgan Hill Police Lt. Terrie Booten said that Juan Murillo, Erica Cabrerra and Arturo Pinacho should be commended for their acts of heroism.
“(Murillo) chased a purse snatcher through the Target parking lot at Cochrane Plaza without thought of his own safety,” Booten told the council.
Murillo held the suspect long enough that the individual got rid of the purse and it was returned to the owner.
In a second incident, on May 8, Cabrerra and Pinacho were visiting Community Park when they saw a 2-year old child fall into the duck pond. The little boy had wandered away from a nearby apartment complex. Pinacho jumped into the pond and rescued the child, Booten said.
Cabrerra and Pinacho together stripped child’s wet clothes off and wrapped him in a warm coat, keeping him safe until police could arrive.
Booten praised the pair for their quick thinking.
Mayor Dennis Kennedy presented the three with official citations and said the City of Morgan Hill is grateful for their actions.
“I’m privileged to honor such heroes,” Kennedy said.
