Sacramento, California – Sacramento County’s park rangers are often associated with patrols, trails and busy recreation areas. But recent awards highlighted another side of the job, pulling people from dangerous water, responding to medical emergencies and investigating crimes that begin inside county parks.
That work has become especially visible along the American River. In summer 2025, the Sacramento County Regional Parks Marine Unit responded to 82 water rescues on the upper American River, up sharply from 47 in 2024 and 29 in 2023.
Sacramento County Regional Parks recognized rangers for their work during 2024 and 2025 at award ceremonies held Aug. 19. Honors covered lifesaving actions, outstanding service, safe driving, good conduct, military service and other contributions.
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One of the 2024 Lifesaving Awards went to Sgt. Trevor Schnitzius, Sgt. Marc Piazza and Ranger Scott Jepsen for a July 5, 2024, rescue near the Clay Banks.
The three were assigned to the Marine Patrol Unit when they saw a 5-year-old boy and his father fall into the river. The child was wearing a life jacket, but his father was not. A strong current carried both downstream while the father struggled to stay above water and hold onto his son.
The rangers threw him a rescue line and pulled both to safety.
Another 11 members of the Park Rangers team received the 2025 Lifesaving Award for emergency responses and water rescues during the year. Those recognized were Sgt. Elmer Marzan, Sgt. Marc Piazza, Sgt. Roger Perez, Sgt. Trevor Schnitzius, Rangers Scott Jepsen, George Tzikis, Jared Houston, Noah Barron, Aaron Love and Vanessa Moreno, along with Park Ranger Assistant Carlos Cueva.
Cueva was also involved in a May 2025 medical emergency near the Sunrise boat launch. After finding an unresponsive woman, he called for assistance. Ranger Moor later administered Narcan and monitored the woman until additional help arrived. She was taken to a local hospital for evaluation.
The awards also recognized investigative and departmental work. Rangers David Lunar and Taylor Watson received 2025 Chief’s Commendations after an investigation involving a probationer and registered sex offender uncovered evidence of child exploitation. The suspect was ultimately sentenced to eight years in prison for a probation violation and child exploitation charges.
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Sgt. Roger Perez received another Chief’s Commendation for supporting training and recruiting efforts that helped bring seven new rangers into the department.
Together, the awards reflected the wide range of responsibilities Sacramento County park rangers handle, from river rescues and medical calls to criminal investigations and building the department’s next generation.