Officer

California Highway Patrol

3/27/1960

Special Act Award (Gold)

On the morning of March 27, 1960, Officer Wood, while en route to his residence after completed his motorcycle duty shift, observed flames and smoke arising from a house trailer in a trailer court in Bellflower. The officer immediately radioed his office requesting the fire department be notified. He then ran to the house trailer and attempted to open the door, but it was locked. Finally succeeding in forcing the door open, he was immediately enveloped by intense heat and dense smoke. By lying on the floor he observed what appeared to be a body. Without regard to his own personal safety, Officer Wood managed to reach the hand of an unconscious 36 year old woman whom he dragged from the blazing trailer. The officer fell outside the trailer with the victim as he was nearly overcome with smoke. The woman was barely breathing so he immediately applied artificial respiration until her breathing became normal although she remained unconscious. A resident of the adjoining trailer was awakened by the noise and attempted to extinguish the flames with a garden hose. He informed Officer Wood that two women shared the trailer and the second woman might still be inside. Officer Wood, noticeably suffering from the effects of the heavy smoke, heat, and gasses, attempted to re-enter the trailer with the neighbor. In spite of the flames, they were able to penetrate far enough inside to become convinced that no one else was inside the trailer. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. Rescue personnel administered oxygen to the unconscious victim and then transported her to the hospital. Although the victim suffered first, second, and third degree burns on her upper body and arms, had it not been for Officer Wood, her life would have undoubtedly been lost.