Forest Firefighter Foreman

Department of Conservation

6/22/1961

Special Act Award (Gold)

On June 22, 1961, Forest Firefighter Foreman John A. Pfeifer was on vacation with his family. Cathy Cullens, age 14, and her girlfriend, Bonnie Heinlein, were swimming in the ocean when a severe riptide caught the two girls and took them out beyond the breakers into deep water. Miss Heinlein was able to return to the beach, but Miss Cullens was carried further out. Miss Heinlein began to cry for help, catching the attention of Foreman Pfeifer who was surf fishing. He immediately swam out to rescue Ms. Cullens. By this time Miss Cullens was over 150 yards from the beach and fatigued from her efforts, had gone down several times before Foreman Pfeifer reached her. Miss Cullens was unconscious after Foreman Pfeifer arrived. Once on the beach, a lifeguard and nurse were able to administer first aid to Miss Cullens. She later stated that she was completely exhausted by the time Foreman Pfeifer reached her and had no recollection of his efforts to get her back to the beach.