Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger awarding the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor to Mendocino County Sheriff Tom Allman on Tuesday, September 28, 2010, in Sacramento, Calif. Photo by Justin Short, Office of the Governor.

SACRAMENTO – Mendocino County Sheriff Tom Allman was among 10 law enforcement officers from around the state honored by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Tuesday with the state's highest public safety award.

Schwarzenegger joined Attorney General Jerry Brown to award the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor to 10 law enforcement officers for their outstanding commitment to the people of California.

In addition to Allman – honored for trying to save a crash victim from a burning car – the award was given to Officers Rodney Richards and Jason Smith, California Highway Patrol (CHP); Det. Eric Bradley, Lodi Police Department; Deputy Ken Skogen, Placer County Sheriff Department; Captain Kevin Raffaelli and Officers Rick Apecechea, Jeff Dellinges and Roberto Gonzalez, San Mateo Police Department; and Officer Kelley Merritt, Susanville Police Department.

“Hollywood can’t dream up heroes as amazing as those we are honoring here today,” said Schwarzenegger. “These public safety officers are our real-life action heroes who have shown extraordinary strength and character in the line of duty. On behalf of all Californians, I thank them for their service and dedication to the people of this great state.”

Effective since 2003, the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor Act gives the governor the authority to award a Medal of Valor to one or more public safety officers who are cited by the attorney general for extraordinary valor above and beyond the call of duty.

The Medal of Valor is the highest state award to a public safety officer. The Attorney General’s Office receives nominations from public safety agencies which are then reviewed by the Medal of Valor Review Board which makes a recommendation to the attorney general.

Tuesday's award recipients were unanimously recommended to the attorney general by the Medal of Valor Review Board and recommended by the Attorney General to the Governor.

“The 10 peace officers awarded the Medal of Valor today showed tremendous bravery in risking their lives for others,” Attorney General Jerry Brown said. “Today, we have the opportunity to thank them for their extraordinary courage. It’s inspiring to read their stories.”

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger with all 10 Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor Award recipients in Sacramento, Calif., on Tuesday, September 28, 2010. They include San Mateo Police Officer Rick Apecechea, California Highway Patrol Officer Jason Smith, California Highway Patrol Officer Rodney Richards, San Mateo Police Officer Jeff Dellinges, Placer County Sheriff