FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 24, 2000

CONTACT: Robert D. Schettler (760) 339-9018

EL CENTRO - Imperial Irrigation District General Manager Jesse Silva and the Board of Directors Tuesday honored Tommy Cuellar, senior hydrographer/canal operator, as Employee of the Month for August.

Cuellar came to the aid of a U.S. Border Patrol agent near the All-American Canal in April.

Cuellar said he was driving along the canal on his normal route near Barbara Worth Road when the agent, who was struggling to arrest an illegal alien, flagged him down. After radioing IID dispatch, Cuellar helped restrain the suspect until another agent arrived.

"He was trying to handcuff the guy," Cuellar. "He couldn't call anyone … he had both hands full trying to handcuff this guy."

Cuellar said he was told to grab one of the suspect's arms, so he did. Minutes later, Border Patrol backup arrived.

Silva credited Cuellar for his quick-thinking selflessness in the face of possible personal injury, and for going beyond the call of duty.

"I didn't think about being afraid," Cuellar said. "I was just thinking about helping the guy."

Said Silva,  "There are too few heroes in the world today and Tommy, by his actions in assisting the law enforcement officer, has proven himself to be a hero."

Cuellar has worked for IID for 28 years.