San Bernardino Valley College Football alumnus linebacker Marcus Pesquera (Lake Arrowhead Rim of the World) will be presented the Medal of Valor by Governor Jerry Brown on September 14, at the state Capitol in Sacramento.

The award being presented to Pesquera is the highest state award for valor presented to a public safety officer.

According to The San Bernardino Sun, "(San Bernardino) Police Officer Marcus Pesquera, 24, will receive the Medal of Valor for his actions on August 22, 2014, in San Bernardino, according to the state Department of Justice. Pesquera, a rookie at the time, shot and killed the gunman who severely wounded Officer Gabriel Garcia in the line of duty Aug. 22."

In the same article it was reported that, "This is the first time a member of SBPD has been awarded this honor," SBPD Police Chief Jarrod Burguan said. "We are extremely proud of all of our men and women. Officer Pesquera showed true professionalism in a time of extreme duress and is deserving of this great honor."

Pesquera played linebacker for SBVC Football in 2010 and 2011, in his sophomore season he was named to the California Community Colleges Football Coaches Association Region VI team and was a first team all-Mountain Conference selection for his dominance on the defensive side of the ball. He set the school record for tackles in a season with 124, securing the record with a 14 tackle performance on the last week of the season versus East L.A. In week four versus Santa Monica and week 11 versus East Los Angeles, he was named Conference Defensive Player of the Week, and was named Honorable Mention in week eight versus Compton.

In 2010, Marcus teamed up with his brother Ricky on the defensive side of the ball and the team went to their first Bowl Game in 13 years. In 2011, he played on the same team with his other brother, Jake and their father, Rick, was an assistant coach on both teams run by head coach Kevin Emerson.

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