DPS spokesman Jason T. Tarkong said the five were honored at the Boating Safety Section office on Friday by DPS Commissioner Santiago F. Tudela, Sgt. Bernard Santos and Police Officer 2 Florencio Falig.
“DPS thanked the five heroes by commending them with certificates of appreciation,” Tarkong said.
Among those recognized was Fan Chun Li, an employee at Big Boyz Jet Ski Company who resuced a woman in the waters off a beach in Susupe.
Tarkong said Li was on a jetski when he observed the victim shouting for help.
Li pulled her onto the jetski and brought her to shore on June 28, 2009.
Eric Lister was surfing at Sugar Dock on Aug. 8 when he saw Jerry Diaz who was swept out to sea.
The weather at the time was bad and there were strong currents and large waves outside the reefline.
“Lister sacrificed his own life to assist Diaz by paddling outside the reef and rescuing Diaz, then having him rest on his surfboard until they were rescued by incoming fishermen,” Tarkong said.
The other individuals who were recognized were the fishermen who rescued Diaz on the same day — boat captain Alvin Iglecias, his son Dion Iglecias, passengers Joe Reyes and Keith Torres.
Tarkong said Alvin Iglesias’s boat was heading back to Sugar Dock when they saw Lister and Diaz outside the reef waving for assistance.
They pulled the two onto the boat and transported them to Sugar Dock.
“Commissioner Tudela, expresses his extreme gratitude to these heroes for risking their lives and saving the lives of others,” Tarkong said.
