HEROIC DEED WINS SHERIFF'S PRAISE.

Byline: Bhavna Mistry Daily News Staff Writer

Roger Cason said it had to be done. Deputies said his actions possibly saved the lives of two women.

It was Christmas Day 1998, when Cason heard the screams for help. He was entering the Ralphs supermarket on Palmdale Boulevard but stopped and looked back.

``I heard someone screaming, `Help, I'm being robbed.' '' said Cason. ``I saw a man pulling on a purse.''

As the 29-year-old surveyor began yelling and running to help the women, the man dropped the purse and fled with another man.

Cason chased one man, tackled him and held him down until deputies arrived.

A second suspect was detained a short distance away.

Judith Hammer, 67, had been stabbed in the back. Her daughter, 40-year-old Sandra Vandenberg, had been punched in the mouth, which damaged her teeth.

``It just went snap, snap, snap, from start to finish,'' Cason said. ``It had to be done.''

The Palmdale resident was recognized for his actions Saturday during a ceremony at the Palmdale Playhouse.

He received an award from Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca and a standing ovation from a crowd of nearly 500 people who had gathered to celebrate the grand opening of an expanded sheriff's station.

His certificate read: ``In recognition of the bravery you exhibited when you placed your own life in danger by assisting in the apprehension of two dangerous criminals who were assaulting two innocent women.''

``I am proud to acknowledge your commitment to your community,'' Baca said. ``In this day and age when many would have ignored the cries for help, you stepped forward and took action which resulted in the apprehension of two dangerous criminals.''

Earlier in the week, Cason had received recognition from Palmdale City Hall.

But he said the sheriff's deputies really deserve the recognition.

``My heart goes out to them - to the men and women of the Sheriff's Department and their families,'' he said. ``They're the heroes. They go out and do it every day.''

Cason, who was born and raised in Palmdale and is a father of two daughters, said he was happy to help.

``Unfortunately, the city isn't like when I was a kid,'' he said.

CAPTION(S):

Photo

PHOTO (Color) Sheriff's Capt. Joe Hladky thanks Roger Cason, with daughters Lieeanna, 2, and Brieeanna, 5, for helping two crime victims.

Jeff Goldwater/Daily News