U.S. Marshals Service Awards Purple Heart to Central California Deputy

Los Angeles, CA – A local United States Marshal Service (USMS) deputy was awarded a Purple Heart during a ceremony Tuesday for injuries sustained on October 21, 2025.

USMS Director Gadyaces S. Serralta presented the Purple Heart to Deputy Rene Luna, from the Los Angeles office of the Central District of California.

On October 21, 2025, Deputy Luna was part of an arrest operation to apprehend Carlitos Parias, a known illegal alien who previously escaped from ICE and USMS. As law enforcement attempted to arrest Parias during a vehicle takedown, he aggressively resisted while using his vehicle to ram law enforcement vehicles, to avoid capture.

Parias' actions in refusing to comply endangered all law enforcement personnel on the scene. During Parias’ attempt to escape, a firearm was discharged striking Deputy U.S. Marshal Rene Luna on his shooting hand.

Despite being struck by gunfire, Deputy Luna continued with his duty to get the suspect in custody. After the suspect was secured, Deputy Luna was immediately evacuated to the hospital for treatment, where he subsequently underwent multiple hours of surgery.

Deputy Luna faced a long road to recovery, with multiple surgeries coupled with an unknown length of physical therapy, to repair his finger on his dominant hand.

His valiant efforts to apprehend Parias, resulted in a traumatic and life-changing line of duty injury, for which the USMS Purple Heart Award is truly deserved and justified.

“Deputy Luna demonstrated extraordinary courage and heroism by supporting our fellow law enforcement partners in the performance of their mission. His sacrifice stands as a powerful example of the bravery and dedication our deputies demonstrate every day across the Nation. His actions reflect the highest ideals and traditions of the U.S. Marshals Service,” said U.S. Marshals Service Director Gadyaces S. Serralta.