On July 30, Zuma Beach Ocean Lifeguard Specialists Lorry Haddock and John Renaud each received the Medal of Valor, the Los Angeles Fire Department’s highest honor, at an awards ceremony in Redondo Beach.
Haddock, a 31-year veteran, and Renaud, a 34-year veteran, were awarded for their dedicated service to the community. On Jan. 10, Haddock and Renaud rescued Ira Ehrlich, who was kayaking off Corral Beach in Malibu during strong offshore winds. Mark Ridgway, owner of Malibu Seafood, noticed the man’s failed attempts to swim to shore and called 911. Alerted by the call, Haddock and Renaud used a personal watercraft to locate Ehrlich one mile from shore. After being treated for hypothermia, Ehrlich personally thanked Haddock and Renaud, and said, “I owe my life to these gentlemen who calmly and yet quickly got me onboard their craft and brought me back to shore, and I want to thank the brave and professional lifeguards from the Los Angeles County Fire Department.”