A posthumous award for life-saving was presented by the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office this week to the family of a man who died this year rescuing a woman and her five-year-old daughter from the San Joaquin River.

Eddie Gerardo “Topollo” Cervantes Lora appears in an undated family photo. The San Joaquin County resident died Oct. 10, 2023, while pulling two people to safety from the San Joaquin River near his home. (Image via GoFundMe)

Family members of 41-year-old Eddie Gerardo “Topollo” Cervantes Lora on Tuesday received the prestigious award on his behalf. It was the first time it was given to a civilian, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

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Victoria Franco is a Stockton-based reporter covering the diverse news around the Central Valley as part of the Report for America program. As a Stockton native, Franco is proud to cover stories within her community and report a variety of coverage. She is a San Jose State University alumna with a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism. In her collegiate years she was Managing Editor for the Spartan Daily. From her time at the Spartan Daily she helped lead her staff to California College Media Awards and a General Excellence first place. Victoria encourages readers to email her story tips and ideas at victoria.franco@baycitynews.com.