Colton, CA—Yesterday morning at Colton High, 11th grade student Hector Medina was recognized for an act of heroism by Henry Dominguez, Colton Chief of Police.

The ceremony, held in room 256 at Colton High School, celebrated Hector’s bravery. On August 4 after school, as he was walking home, Hector noticed a female classmate being followed by a suspicious man.

Hector joined and stayed with the young lady, then asked an adult nearby to call the authorities. Police indicated Hector’s actions stopped a potential child abduction.

During the ceremony, Police Chief Dominguez shared Hector’s story before presenting the young man with a commemorative plaque. “Based off of Mr. Medina’s actions, as well as his situational awareness, officers were able to obtain detailed description of the subject and subsequently place him under arrest.”

Chief Dominguez sees Hector as a “true hero for what he did. Police and firefighters are trained for this, but this young man did it naturally.”

“I’m excited to recognize a Colton Yellowjacket,” Officer Richard Randolph, who works at Colton High as a School Resource Officer, said. He believes that it is acts like Hector’s that set a higher standard for our citizens.

While everyone was excited to honor him, Hector did not feel he should have received this award. All he believed he did on August 4 was look at his surroundings and do the right thing.

Hector’s mom, Esther Perez, was the last to find out about his heroism. He never told her. She found out from Hector’s guidance counselor when he called her to notify her of the award ceremony.

Once she learned what her son had done, she was immediately terrified because the suspect could have had weapons on him or could have been on strong drugs. However, she was happy at the same time for Hector’s actions.

The recognition ceremony was attended by members of Hector’s family, community leaders, guidance counselors, high school administration, and members of the Colton police department. City Mayor Frank J. Navarro was unable to attend due to a scheduling conflict, but gave “hearty congratulations to the young man that saved the young girl from a possible abduction.”

“Even though there are bad things happening,” Chief Dominguez said, “this shows there is goodness in people still.”