Unsung Heroes Award
Nathan R. Banry, Candice Cobarrubias, Jerome J. Ealy, Arturo Haddock Christopher V. Jordan, James P. King, Janice Louie, Stacey P. Simmons, Gregory M. Stearns, Los Angeles Police Department Unsung Heroes AwardsOn March 23, 1998 at approximately 7:30 a.m., there was a terrible traffic collision in the San Fernando Valley. A Los Angeles Fire Department Helicopter responded and airlifted a severely injured child from the accident scene. Minutes later, the helicopter went down, crashing in Griffith Park, killing the injured child and three of the five firemen on board.
Officer Stearns arrived on scene and notice the helicopter on its side and up against a chain link fence. People were running away from the aircraft screaming, Officers Stearns and the eight other officers, now on scene, ran to the downed helicopter. The aircraft was smoking, aviation fuel fumes were thick in the air, hydraulic fluid covered the wreckage and ground and intense heat was emitting from the engine area. There was a definite chemistry for an explosion present.
All nine officers and CTD officer Moreno, despite the explosive environment, did not hesitate to act. Using their bare hands, fingers, and makeshift crowbars, they pushed and pulled away at the wreckage feverishly in concerted attempt to rescue those inside. They managed to pry the cabin open, allowing Officer Moreno entry. Due to the cramped space inside, no one else could enter. Officer Moreno passed the injured and deceased through the cabin opening to his fellow officers who carried them away from the wreckage. The fire department arrived during the rescue efforts and sprayed foam and water on site, rendering the scene safe. After the injured and deceased were removed, these nine officers took up command post functions, protecting the scene, gathering evidence and guarding the remains of the deceased. Most important, they attempted to soothe the emotions of the fire department personnel on scene who were dealing the worst tragedy known in the history of the Los Angeles Fire Department.
These nine officers and Officer Moreno willfully entered that wreckage site with full knowledge that it was a volatile environment and that if the helicopter exploded, they would undoubtedly be killed. The weighed their options and without hesitation, took that risk, knowing that if they did not attempt to rescue, those who may have survived the crash would most likely die. Their dedication and bravery is to be highly commended.
Officer Moreno was awarded with L.A.P.D.’s Medal for Bravery as well as the Lifesaving Medal, which both were well deserved. Unfortunately, these nine officers from Hollywood Division were unintentionally overlooked and received no recognition.
Officer Moreno was contacted regarding this incident. Officer Moreno was adamant that there were L.A.P.D. officers who assisted him at the wreckage with removing the injured and deceased. He said that although he could not see the officer’s faces, he heard their voices and saw their arms reaching to the wreckage to aid him in his effort. Officer Moreno, aware that the first six firemen on scene received their department’s Medal of Valor, could not understand why the Hollywood Division Officers received no formal individual recognition. Officer Moreno agreed that these nine Hollywood Officers, like him, were deserving of individuals recognition for their bravery.
Tonight, we honor those nine Hollywood officers for their bravery and heroic acts, which went well beyond the call of duty on the tragic day. They are truly “Unsung Heroes”
