Quail Valley resident Ferrill Villalva was recognized as Menifee’s Citizen of the Month Wednesday for helping protect neighboring homes during a recent fire and his continued efforts to help others in his community.
Villalva was nominated by Councilman Ben Diederich, who said he first met Villalva after learning about his actions during the Quail Valley fire.
“He went above and beyond, put himself at risk and helped his neighborhood stay safe until fire could get there with equipment to properly fight the fire,” Diederich said.
Diederich said he later learned the fire was not the only time Villalva had stepped up to help his neighbors. He said Villalva regularly helps residents in need, including widows, single mothers and elderly residents, without expecting recognition in return.
“He just does it because it’s the right thing to do,” Diederich said.
Villalva told the council he has lived in Quail Valley for 30 years and described the fire as an intense situation involving burning palm trees, a home and downed electrical wires.
Villalva said he and his family began fighting the fire before other neighbors joined in with their hoses to help prevent it from spreading further.
“It was a community thing,” he said. “Had the other ones not come out and use their hoses, same way we did, Quail Valley wouldn’t be there.”
He also credited the response from firefighters, saying the situation could have been much worse without the number of crews that arrived.
Villalva said his willingness to help others is rooted in his faith.
“All I can say is I thank God for watching over us,” he said.
