Abby LeCureux’s Heroism Honored with Governor’s State Employee Medal of Valor Award
If you ask Abby LeCureux, with the California Department of Consumer Affairs, she will tell you she was the right person for the call.
On September 29, 2021, LeCureux, working in DCA’s Consumer Information Center call center, took a call from a caller who was upset and suicidal. During the 40-minute call, LeCureux calmly kept the caller engaged, got their name, location, and worked with supervisors to notify local police who were able to assist the caller in crisis.
“The words I heard from our caller, the images in my head of those words, I have experienced a lot of stress, anxiety, but even with those emotions, I am so glad I am the one who got that call. I would do it again,” said LeCureux.
LeCureux was recently honored with the Governor’s State Employee Special Service (Silver) Medal of Valor Award for the life-saving actions she took during the call.
LeCureux is no stranger to saving lives.
“In my own family I have experienced suicide. I have had some of my family contemplating suicide, so out of all the people, I am glad she got me,” she said. “I was the right person at that time. Everything happens for a reason and that was our reason.”
“Having all of my supervisors, all of our executive office, my new supervisors, my family, it is such an honor. I am so grateful, and I am very blessed,” LeCureux said. “And even this award, I’ve known about it, I’ve talked about it, but it still hasn’t sunk in what I’ve done to earn this, to be given this. I was just doing my job, the only way I knew how.”
Since 1959, the Governor’s State Employee Medal of Valor Award program has recognized approximately 700 state employees across professions and departments. The award is the highest honor California bestows upon its public servants.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 988.
Governor Gavin Newsom and Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency Secretary Lourdes Castro Ramírez celebrated and honored LeCureux. In his address, Gov. Newsom also recognized other state employee Medal of Valor recipients.
DCA’s Abby LeCureux, with DCA Director Kimberly Kirchmeyer, Chief Deputy Director Christine Lally, and Consumer Information Center employees.
DCA’s Abby LeCureux and BCSH Secretary Lourdes Castro Ramírez.
