New Pasadena Police Officer Honored for Saving Man’s Life in Claremont

Pasadena Police Officer Aracely Preciado, center, was honored for life-saving efforts during her prior employment with the Claremont Police Department at a ceremony on July 14, 2021. (Credit: Pasadena Police Department)

A new Pasadena police officer was honored with an award from her prior employer Wednesday for saving a man’s life while working for the Claremont Police Department, officials said.

Officer Aracely Preciado joined the Pasadena Police Department as a lateral transfer from Claremont PD, where she was named “Officer of the Year” in 2018, in May, according to Pasadena police officials.

During a small, private event on Wednesday, Claremont Police Chief Shelly Vander Veen presented Preciado with an award in recognition of her actions to save a man’s life.

“While on a call for service, Officer Preciado’s attention was drawn to a male that was not breathing,” Pasadena police said in a written statement. “Officer Preciado and her Officer partner began CPR and ultimately administered an AED until paramedics arrived on scene.”

“Those paramedics later indicated to Chief Vander Veen that if not for Officer Preciado’s life saving efforts, the male would have lost his life,” according to the statement.

Prior to becoming a police officer in Claremont, Presidio served as an Explorer and a jailer, according to the agency.

“We lost a great police officer to the Pasadena Police Department,” the Claremont Police Officers Association said in a written statement at the time of her transition to Pasadena.

Police Chief Perez Introduces 11 new Police Officers and Trainees