State Traffic Officer

California Highway Patrol

10/23/1961

Special Act Award (Gold)

At approximately 12:30 am, Officer Benton L. Ruff and Officer G. M. Abbott, while on regular patrol, stopped a truck on the southbound side of US Highway 99 near Newhall. While talking with the driver of the truck, the officers heard a woman calling from the northbound side of the highway. As she crossed the highway divider, she fell in the roadway and lay in front of oncoming traffic. Officer Ruff reacted instantly. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he ran across the roadway in front of the oncoming traffic, literally scooped up the pedestrian, and carried her to the safety of the center divider. At the moment of the rescue, the nearest vehicle was 10 to 15 feet away and traveling at an estimated speed of 45 miles per hour.