Medal for Heroism/Gold Badge of Courage Award
Officer Abraham Yap
Long Beach Police Department
Officer Roy Wade
Long Beach Police Department
Exemplary Performance Award
Officer Samuel Rizzuto
Long Beach Police Department
Officer Allan Legayada
Long Beach Police Department
On December 22, 2006, Officers Abraham Yap and Roy Wade were working patrol in the West Division of Long Beach. Off-duty Auto Theft Detective Jason Ur requested assistance to conduct a traffic stop on a suspicious vehicle in their area. Before Officers Yap and Wade were able to initiate the traffic stop, the armed suspect jumped out of his vehicle and immediately began firing multiple rounds into the police car where Yap and Wade were still seated. Although they were both critically wounded, Officer Wade was able to put out a call for help on the police radio.
After realizing Officers Yap and Wade had been shot, Detective Ur followed the suspect. He switched radio channels to inform units in the other areas that officers needed help, relayed suspect information and alerted nearby officers that the suspect was fleeing in their direction.
Officers Allan Legayada and Sam Rizzuto were the first officers to arrive at the shooting scene. While under immense pressure knowing that the lives of their fellow officers lie in the balance, they fell back on their training and took the necessary steps to ensure that the wounded officers were given every chance to survive. Officers Yap and Wade each sustained life-threatening injuries. Officer Wade had taken several bullets in the neck, while Officer Yap had been shot numerous times in the face. Given the extent of their injuries, Officers Legayada and Rizzuto knew that they could not wait for paramedics. They placed the wounded officers into a police unit and began transporting them to the hospital. Despite his injuries, Officer Yap instructed Officer Legayata which route to take to the hospital and requested units block the intersections along the way. As they raced to the hospital, Officer Rizzuto continued to talk to Officer Wade, trying to keep him conscious in the back seat.
Within minutes, they arrived at the hospital where Officers Yap and Wade began receiving critical lifesaving medical treatment. The initial medical treatment rendered by Officers Rizzuto and Legayada, coupled with the quick actions by Long Beach Memorial Medical Center staff, ultimately saved the officers’ lives. The suspect who shot Officers Yap and Wade managed to escape apprehension, for the time being.
Officer Allan Legayada and Officer Sam Rizzuto are to be commended for their quick actions during this most stressful situation, which resulted in saving the lives of their partners, Officer Yap and Officer Wade. For this, the Golden Badge Foundation is pleased to present to them the Exemplary Performance Award.
Officer Abraham Yap and Officer Roy Wade are to be commended for their courage under fire during their confrontation with an armed assailant who opened fire on them before they could react. With life-threatening injuries, both of these officers have made their way back to full duty. For this, the Golden Badge Foundation is honored to present Officer Abraham Yap and Officer Roy Wade with both The Gold Badge of Courage Award and the Medal for Heroism.
