Medal for Heroism
Craig Hill Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department Medal for Heroism
A little more than two years ago the Sacramento area was faced with a second serial killer within a two-week period. This time it was a single gunman that had killed five people in a 24-hour period. The suspect held his last victim and his wife hostage for several hours before fatally shooting the husband with his wife still being held hostage. The suspect ultimately dropped the victim’s wife off on a street corner and she noticed police.
The California Highway Patrol spotted the suspect who led them on a pursuit. The pursuit concluded near an intersection and a gun battle ensued, resulting in a CHP officer being wounded. Detective Sergeant Craig Hill responded to the intersection assist CHP. As he arrived he noticed the gunman standing in the street firing his automatic weapon erratically in all directions. He further notice a motorist that the suspect had shot was lying on the ground, still in line of fire. Detective Sergeant Hill, fearing that the motorist would be shot again or die from his current wound if not taken out of the line of fire, drove his unmarked unit between the suspect and the motorist. The gunman shot at Sergeant Hill, striking his car as he worked his way to the wounded motorist. Sergeant Hill then provided cover for fellow officer so that they remove the wounded motorist to safe location. The shooting suddenly stopped and it was discovered the suspect had killed himself after firing an estimated 150 rounds.
Sergeant Hill exposed himself to personal grave danger to save the life of an innocent young man who was seriously wounded and unable to get to safety.
Medal for Heroism
Christopher Bolt, Thomas Brown, Dave Frazier, Marcus Hodge, William Jarman, James Kloss, Ernie Kohagura, Patrick O’Dowd, Timothy O’Hara, Parine Soth, Walter Turley, Timothy VanCoutren Long Beach Police Dept. Medal of Heroism
On Friday, April 20, 2001 at approximately 7:32 p.m., Officer Parine Soth was patrolling the area of 852 Orange Avenue in the City of Long Beach investigating what he thought sounded like gun shots. Officer Soth stopped a male ridding a bicycle to see if he was involved. Upon making contact, the male turned and shot Officer Soth in the face. Officer Soth returned fire, wounding the suspect as he fled on foot.
Upon reaching 10066 Alamitos Avenue, the suspect attempted to abduct a 3-year child but was confronted by the child’s family. The suspect shot the child’s father then barricaded himself inside the apartment taking two young girls hostage.
Officers arrived on scene and the suspect, a Long Beach gang member, fired multiple shots at the officers. A Long Beach negotiating team conversed with the suspect and concluded that the suspect was not going to voluntarily surrender and was prepared to harm the hostages if it meant giving him a chance to get away.
Due to the imminent risk to the hostage, Lieuthenant Tobert Luna and Sergeant Jay Johnson determined that it was imperative to order a hostage rescue operation. Under the leadership of Sergeant Walt Turley, the entry team forced entry into the apartment. Once inside, the team was met with gunfire. The team engaged the suspect in a fierce gun battle while simultaneously rescuing the hostages. In the end both girls were rescued and the suspect was dead. Unfortunately, Officers Brown and VanCoutren were both wounded by the suspects gunfire.
Each of these officers entered the apartment with full knowledge that a gun battle would most likely occur and that there was a good possibility that they would be injured or killed. Never the less these officers put there own safety aside and placed the well being of those two little girls first.
Because of the bravery demonstrated by each of these officers, 7-year old Jeanette and 10-year old Vanessa are alive and back safely with their loved ones.
Medal for Heroism
Kurt Vasentine Orange County Sheriff’s Dept. Medal of Heroism
On the morning of Saturday, March 23, 2002, Sergeant Vasentine was working as a patrol supervisor in the city of Lake Forest. He observed a suspicious vehicle parked to the rear of a closed business and stopped to investigate. He noted a male inside the vehicle reclined in the driver’s seat and approached.
As Sergeant Vasentine approached the vehicle, the driver quickly pushed open the vehicle’s driver’s door and attempted to run. Sergeant Vasentine grabbed the male who immediately began fighting with him. During the struggle, the male pulled a gun from within his pants pocket and shot Sergeant Vasentine in the face at point blank range. The suspect ran a short distance, took cover behind a tree and continued to shoot at Sergeant Vasentine.
Although wounded, Sergeant Vasentine was able to return gunfire striking the male twice. The suspect ran to a vehicle that was later determined to have been a car jacked, where a second suspect was waiting and both fled the area.
While lying in the parking lot bleeding and in pain, Sergeant Vasentine was able to make several emergency broadcast; giving his location, medical condition, suspect description, suspect vehicle description and direction of travel.
Based on sergeant Vasentine’s ability to remain alert, even after being seriously injured, both suspects were arrested later that same day. One was arrested at a Riverside County hospital and the other in the city of Santa Ana.
Sergeant Vasentine’s bravery and undying will to survive not only saved his life but resulted in the arrest of both suspects.
Medal for Heroism
Juan Carlos Garcia Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Medal for Heroism
On August 17, 2001 at approximately 8:40 a.m., Deputy Juan Garcia was on patrol in a marked unit in Indio. He spotted a vehicle that matched the description of a reported stolen with occupants who were consider armed and dangerous. Deputy Garcia followed the vehicle through a residential neighborhood until his backup could arrive.
While following the vehicle, it suddenly stopped and parked on the street in front of a house. The suspect exited the vehicle and nonchalantly walked the front of the door of the house and began speaking with a woman. It was apparent to Deputy Garcia that the woman did not know the suspect.
Deputy Garcia, fearing for the woman’s safety yet aware of the volatile situation, opted to use a low-key approach to lure the suspect away and minimize the potential of creating a hostage situation. Deputy Garcia approached the suspect, attempting the coax him away from the front door. As he got within close proximity, the suspect spun around with a gun in hand. The suspect shot Deputy Garcia at close range in the eye, the jaw, and in the hand. Although being shot multiple times, Deputy Garcia was able to return fire at the suspect and avert further injury to him and the occupants of the residence.
Bleeding profusely from his wounds, Deputy Garcia attempted to pursue the suspect on foot as he ran from the scene. Local residents and the next deputy on scene had to physically restrain Deputy Garcia to prevent him from chasing after the suspect.
Deputy Garcia’s courage under fire, his conscious effort to protect the occupants of the residence at risk to himself, and his attempt to continue pursuing the suspect after being shot three times is commendable.
Deputy Garcia show a “will to survive” and a “never give up” attitude at the shooting scene. That “will to survive” and “never give up” was also displayed during his recovery period. Deputy Garcia returned to patrol to continue serving and protecting the Coachella Valley after only six months.
Medal for Heroism
James Lewis Los Angeles County Probation Department Medal of Heroism
Those of you in the Loa Angeles area may be familiar with C.L.E.A.R., a joint task force between the Los Angeles Police Department’s Northeast Division and the Los Angeles County Probation Department. On July 13, 2001 at approximately 12:10 a.m., Deputy Probation Officer James Lewis was on routine patrol with his L.A.P.D. counterparts when they observed a male and female acting suspiciously. Upon noticing the officers, the male was seen placing a handgun into his waistband. As the officer stopped, the male ran, prompting the L.A.P.D. officers to give chase. Officer Lewis, who was unarmed, stayed with the police unit and the female.
The L.A.P.D. officers chase the suspect into a hilly area where he took cover and began firing at the officers who were without cover. The L.A.P.D. officers yelled for Officer Lewis to bring the police unit to their locations for cover as they were in immediate danger of being shot. Officer Lewis, with no consideration for his own safety, drove the police unit directly in the line of fire, providing cover for his partners. As officer Lewis stopped the unit, suspect fired another round prompting Lewis to take cover behind a nearby telephone poll to protect himself. The Suspect began firing at the police unit and in the direction of the telephone pole. In light of the fact that Lewis was unarmed and fellow officers were unable to gain an advantage point of the suspect, they re-entered the unit and left the area to regroup.
Officer Lewis demonstrated an extraordinary amount of courage by driving the police unit directly into the line of fire to provide cover for his partners who could have ultimately been wounded or killed if not for his actions.
Medal for Heroism
Michael Nixon Oakdale Police Department Medal of Heroism
On February 27, 2002 at approximately 10:20 a.m., officers of the Oakdale Police Department began pursuing a vehicle driven by Joseph Bunch at speeds of 80 miles per hour. The pursuit was terminated when it was apparent that Bunch was not going to slow down, when he reached the busiest intersection in the City of Oakdale, where State Route 120 and State Route 108 merge together.
A short time after the pursuit had been terminated, Oakdale Police officers reported that Bunch had crashed into two vehicles and into a business sign. When officers arrived in scene, flames were showing from the vehicle. The female passenger in the vehicle was able to get out of the vehicle and was moved to a safe location.
Corporal Michael Nixon arrived on the scene and using his chemical fire extinguisher attempted to knock the flames down. This proved to be fruitless. The flames were spreading into the interior of the vehicle that still contained the semi-conscious driver.
With complete disregard for his own safety, Corporal Nixon reached into the burning vehicle and pulled the six-foot, 230 pound Bunch through the passenger window to the sidewalk. He was able to carry Bunch with the assistance of a fellow officer to a location of safety as 12 gauge shotgun shells started exploding in the interior of burning vehicle.
Corporal Nixon was treated for minor burns on his arms and released. He returned to full duty the next day. Without his dedication to duty, his professionalism and his compassion for his fellow man, this would have been a greater tragedy.
Medal for Heroism
Officer Peter Vander Burgh, Officer Fernando Avila Los Angeles Police Dept. Medal of Heroism
On Sunday, September 30, 2001, two suspects entered Macy’s department store in Woodland Hills. They brandished a gun an proceeded to commit their robbery. The suspects, one of which was later found to be under the influence of ecstasy, cocaine, and alcohol, were very aggressive, pointing the gun at store employees while shouting demands for the jewelry. A shot was fired during the robbery but luckily, no one was injured.
L.A.P.D. officer Vander Burgh and Avila responded to the robbery in progress and were told by a witness that the suspects were still inside and a shot was heard. Taking into the consideration that a shot had already been fired, the officers feared that the suspect might kill someone if immediate action wasn’t taken. As they prepared to enter the store, they heard one of the suspects yelling at the employee to “hurry up”. Officer Vander Burgh and Avila entered the store with guns drawn and ordered the suspects to drop their weapons. One of the suspects turned and pointed his gun at officers at which time they were forced to shoot and kill the suspect.
Officer Vander Burgh and Avila, without due regard to their own safety, placed themselves in a life threatening situation in order to assure the safety of the store employees, quite possible saving their lives.
Medal for Heroism
Dean Fulcher, Paul Hayes, Michael Holderman, Randy Saunders, Santa Ana Police Dept. Medal of Heroism
On April 24, 2001, Investigators Fulcher, Hayes and Holderman along with Officer Saunders met in the city of Long Beach to investigate a kidnapping that occurred in Santa Ana. An exchanged of money for kidnap victim was set up and they were conducting a surveillance of the exchange locations.
During their surveillance, a suspicious vehicle containing three occupants entered the area. As Investigators Fulcher and Haves attempted to stop the vehicle, a pursuit ensued. During the pursuit, gunfire erupted from the suspect’s vehicle with four rounds striking the investigator’s unmarked police unit. Investigator Holderman and Officer Saunders, in a marked police unit, took the lead in the pursuit as the investigator, despite being shot at already, continued the pursuit as a secondary unit. The suspects fired numerous more rounds at pursuing officers with a high-caliber assault rifle, striking Holderman and Saunder’s unit six times. Despite the barrage of gunfire coming from the suspect’s vehicle, officers continued to pursue.
The suspect’s vehicle ultimately drove down a side and crashed into a tree. The driver and both passengers ran from the vehicle and were immediately pursued on foot by officers. During the foot pursuit, the suspect that was being chased by Investigator Hayes and Fulcher, turned on three separate occasions and fired at them with a semi-automatic pistol. Each time, the investigator stood their ground and continued their pursuit. The suspects were ultimately captured with miraculously no one being shot.
The kidnap victim was located, lying on the rear seat in the suspect’s vehicle, handcuffed but unharmed. The officers and the investigators on this incident demonstrated remarkable composure while repeatedly being fired upon during this dangerous incident. They never retreated and continually placed themselves at great personal risk to assure that these suspects could not escape or have an additional opportunity to harm or kill the persons they had abducted. There is little doubt that the kidnap victim would have survived if the suspects had been allowed to escape.
Medal for Heroism
Dan Dunnigan Corona Police Department Medal of Heroism
On November 7, 2002 at approximately 7:10 p.m., Officer Dan Dunnigan assisted with a warrant service of a felon who was consider armed and dangerous. The suspect had told family members that he was not going to jail and would “shoot it out” with police.
Officer Dunnigan and his partner were assigned to cover the alley to rear of the apartment complex where they were attempting to serve the warrant. While covering the alley, the suspect jumped the wall from the apartment complex into the alley and began to run. Officer Dunnigan ordered the suspect to stop and pursued him when he didn’t comply.
During the foot pursuit, the suspect retrieved a gun from his waistband, turned and beagn firing Officer Dunnigan and his partner. Officer Dunnigan was shot in the left shoulder and his abdomen. The bullet to the abdomen lodged near his spine, causing him to collapse with paralysis to his legs. The suspect continued running toward a block wall that would have lead him back to the apartment complex.
He was aware that officers, tenants and children were on the other side of the wall and in imminent danger. While lying on the ground, Officer Dunnigan fired his weapon, striking and incapacitating the suspect before he could get over the wall. Fellow officers responded to the alley where the suspect was taken into custody and Officer Dunnigan was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery.
After two surgeries to repair damage to Dan’s nerves, he is still recovering and working to restore feeling in his legs.
Officer Dunnigan, despite being seriously injured displayed composure and courage by assuring that this suspect did not clear the wall back into the complex where fellow officers and citizens would have been in danger.
Medal for Heroism
Michael Wolf Angela Freeman San Francisco Police Dept. Medal of Heroism
On November 1, 2001, at approximately 5:00 a.m., Officer Michael Wolf and Angela Freeman were patrolling the Aquatic Park area of San Francisco where the observed two burglars crouched beneath a construction crane.
The officers ordered the burglar to come out of hiding at which time one of the suspects ran to his vehicle parked nearby. The suspect entered the vehicle and started it. Officer Wolf rant to the vehicle passenger side door and opened it in an attempt to prevent the suspect from leaving. The suspect immediately accelerated his vehicle to the right in an attempt to run over the officer. A furious gun battle ensued between the suspect in the vehicle and the Officer Wolf.
Officer Wolf took cover behind a narrow tree and returned fire as the suspect continued firing several rounds at him. One round hit the center of the tree that Officer Wolf was behind and a second round travel up his arm, inside his uniform shirt, grazing him.
The suspect then accelerated his vehicle toward Officer Freeman who was position at the front of the patrol unit. While accelerating toward Officer Freeman, suspect fired eight shots at her. Officer Freeman stood her ground until the suspect’s vehicle surfaced from the fog at which time she engaged him in a furious gun battle, leaping out of his vehicle path at the last possible moment before his vehicle struck the police unit.
Officer Wolf witnessing the suspect attack on Officer Freeman did not see her jump out of the suspect vehicle’s path and concluded his partner may have been killed. Officer Wolf, leaving his cover, charged the suspect’s vehicle totally exposing himself to the gunman’s homicidal intent. As Officer Wolf approached, the suspect, from within his vehicle turned and pointed his gun at him at which time Officer Wolf fired one last round killing the suspect.
Officers’ Wolf and Freeman displayed and enormous amount of courage by tenaciously shooting it out with a wanton gunman whom was not going to be taken alive. Although met with a life-threatening situation, their sense of duty compelled them to capture this violent suspect even if it meant facing the ultimate sacrifice.
