August 23, 2025 – WESTCHESTER, CA – Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman on Wednesday recognized a woman who witnessed and intervened in a brutal domestic violence attack at the hands of a family member, a convenience store employee who helped stop the kidnapping of a woman and her baby, and a construction worker who jumped into action and apprehended a suspect who randomly attacked a co-worker.
“I extend my personal gratitude to these heroic bystanders who made the difficult decision to intervene in the moment of crisis, setting their personal welfare aside, to help victims of crime,” District Attorney Hochman said. “We highlight these cases because when people show up for each other our communities grow stronger.”
The Courage Awards ceremony was hosted by the Rotary Club of Westchester. The District Attorney’s Office presents the awards several times a year to ordinary people who have performed extraordinary acts of valor and selflessness in aiding victims at times resulting in crime prevention and the capturing of suspects, and assisting investigators and prosecutors through the duration of the case.
The honorees are:
Angela Ervin, 49, of Long Beach (Case NA119161, presented by Deputy District Attorney Kelsey McKeever-Unger)
On March 10, 2022, Angela Ervin’s cousin and his fiancée came to visit her home. During the visit, her cousin suddenly began brutally beating his fiancée. Fearing for the woman’s life, Ms. Ervin rushed forward and placed herself between them to protect the victim. Despite facing grave danger —including multiple knife attacks—Ms. Ervin shielded the victim and saved her life, sustaining serious injuries in the process. After the assault, even though Ms. Ervin considered her cousin like a brother, she contacted the police, provided a full statement, and agreed to testify against him in court. Even when family members tried to intimidate her from testifying against her cousin, she stood firm. Her courage and testimony were crucial to securing justice for the survivor.
The defendant faces over 150 year to life in state prison after being found guilty by a jury of one felony count each of attempted murder; assault with a deadly weapon; inflicting an injury on his fiancé with great bodily injury; battery with serious bodily injury; two felony counts of attempting to dissuade a witness; and 10 misdemeanor counts of violating a court order.
James Lawrence, 47, of San Diego (Case BA507528, presented by Deputy District Attorney Tal Kahana)
In July 2022, a mother and her infant daughter were violently kidnapped in Pico Rivera by her ex-boyfriend, who is also the child’s father. Weeks earlier, he had abducted their daughter and taken her to Mexico. The mother had secured the baby’s return by appeasing him. When she later tried to end the relationship, he threatened her and ambushed her car as she fled to a local Los Angeles County Sheriff’s station, forcing her and the baby into his vehicle where he proceeded to drive to Mexico. Near the border, the mother convinced him to stop at a convenience store for supplies, where she silently signaled for help from James Lawrence, the store clerk. Mr. Lawrence acted swiftly, calling the police and providing the vehicle’s license plate number. His quick thinking led to the defendant’s arrest and the victims’ safe rescue.
The defendant was convicted of child abduction, spousal abuse, and other charges, receiving a two-year state prison sentence.
Ivan Gonzalez Juarez, 44, of Signal Hill (Case YA108378, presented by Deputy District Attorney Wendy Orellana)
On August 22, 2023, two construction workers, Hamid Hill and Ivan Gonzalez Juarez, were eating lunch at a fast-food restaurant in Inglewood when a man suddenly burst in and stabbed Mr. Hill in the back without provocation, then fled on a bicycle. Both men immediately pursued the attacker. Mr. Hill disarmed him using a shovel, while Mr. Gonzalez Juarez recovered the knife. When the defendant attempted to flee on foot, Mr. Gonzalez Juarez and other bystanders chased and subdued him. Despite the danger, Mr. Gonzalez Juarez refused to let the assailant escape. Mr. Gonzalez Juarez then flagged down the police, handed over the knife, and later provided detailed testimony about the defendant’s violent threats during the struggle.
The defendant was convicted of assault with a deadly weapon (a knife) and sentenced to three years in prison.
“I am proud to honor each of these individuals,” District Attorney Hochman added. “Their willingness to intervene and protect those around them, including strangers, reflects our strength in Los Angeles County. Heroes don’t always wear uniforms; sometimes they’re simply people who stepped up during a crisis.”
LADA will host its next Courage Awards in partnership with the Rotary Club of Pasadena on September 10.
Source: Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office
