Press Release
Posted:
Napa County – Today, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) announced Napa County Deputy Sheriff Nick Deguilio and J.C. Greenburg of CAL FIRE as the Napa County Public Safety Heroes. Each year, Thompson honors law enforcement officers and first responders in our community who have gone above and beyond the call of duty.
“Our first responders and law enforcement are the first line of defense for our communities and work to keep us safe. Our district is home to outstanding public safety officials who go above and beyond in their service, and I am proud to recognize them each year as Public Safety Heroes,” said Thompson. “Deputy Deguilio has shown his quick thinking and commitment to safety by helping save the lives of residents throughout Napa County. Battalion Chief Greenburg’s response and actions during wildfires help keep our communities safe from devastating fires through effective and quick leadership. Deputy Deguilio and Chief Greenburg are exemplary public servants and are well deserving of this recognition.”
In the early afternoon on July, 16, 2023, Mr. Deguilio responded to a medical call from an adult male that had sustained a “hand cut” from a boat propeller. Not knowing the severity of the injury, and without a dispatch broadcast, he recognized the potentially urgent situation, notifying colleagues and racing to the scene. Within seven minutes, Mr. Deguilio arrived and took control of the incident. While evaluating the patient’s injury, consisting of a partial hand amputation, he requested an air ambulance and applied a tourniquet to stop excessive bleeding. Mr. Deguilio remained attentive to the patient, who was in apparent shock and somewhat unresponsive, before being relieved by Cal Fire and other responding deputies. The patient was then transported by helicopter to a hospital where he underwent multiple surgeries. The quick thinking and actions by Mr. Deguilio helped stabilize the victim and prevented a possibly far worse outcome.
Exactly two months later Mr. Deguilio responded to a “stabbing” at a remote residence in Napa County. Initial details from a call to 911 were that the caller’s husband had been stabbed by an “unknown person” in their backyard and that the husband was attempting to hold the suspect down. Mr. Deguilio was first to arrive on scene and decided to attempt to locate the victim and suspect without waiting for backup. He found the injured resident, who had taken the weapon and was holding the suspect down. Mr. Deguilio took control of the knife and immediately handcuffed the suspect when the resident fell to his hands and knees. He promptly cut open the resident’s bloodied shirt, finding a 3-inch open stab wound on his upper back. Not knowing the severity of the stab wound, Mr. Deguilio immediately applied a “chest seal” to the resident’s back, applying continual pressure while awaiting further medical assistance. As deputies arrived at the scene, he learned the suspect had also been stabbed during the altercation. Once medical personnel arrived and began aiding the resident, Mr. Deguilio moved to provide first aid to the suspect, applying another “chest seal” to the suspect’s stab wound. Mr. Deguilio’s quick decision-making certainly saved lives.
On July 5, 2023, a vegetation fire threatened multiple residents and Silverado Middle School in the Coombsville area of Napa County. This fire started during peak hours at 1:35pm and was influenced by a 13-mph wind on a grassy slope surrounded by residential homes. Led by Mr. Greenburg, the City of Napa Fire Department, CAL FIRE, and the Napa County Fire Department quickly defended the structures under threat and provided perimeter control from further fire growth. This response demonstrated the effectiveness of strong cooperative relations among centralized emergency responders and Mr. Greenberg’s quick and effective leadership certainly prevented further damage to our community.
The full list of Public Safety Heroes for the Fourth Congressional district includes:
Daniel Eagle, Clearlake Police Department
Chrissy Valdez, Northshore Fire Protection
Nick DeGuilio, Napa County Sheriff’s Office
JC Greenburg, CAL FIRE
Lauren Coughlan, Vacaville Police Department
Andrew Tomelloso, Dixon Fire Department
Debbie Lamaison, Rohnert Park Police Department
Santa Rosa Maui Recovery Team
Ghost, Santa Rosa Police Department K9
Joe Farrow, UC Davis Police Department
Clarksburg Fire Protection District