Officer

California Highway Patrol

11/11/2007

Special Act Award (Gold)

On November 11, 2007, at approximately 11:30 a.m., a California Highway Patrol Officer began following a vehicle on Interstate 280, north of State Route 92 in San Mateo County. The female driver stopped in the middle of Doran Bridge, left her vehicle, stepped over the concrete bridge rail, and sat on the narrow rail, threatening to jump. The Officer stopped his patrol car and commanded her to get off the bridge rail. CHP Officer Gary Dana heard the pursuit on his radio and responded to assist. Upon arrival, Officer Dana parked his motorcycle behind the woman’s vehicle and was not noticed by the woman. While the other Officer gave verbal commands to distract her attention, Officer Dana approached the woman from behind. Just as she began to slip off of the rail, Officer Dana jumped out and wrapped both of his arms around the woman, pulling her back onto the roadway. After a short struggle, the woman was taken into custody. As a result of the struggle, Officer Dana suffered abrasions and injuries to his back, but his heroic actions saved the woman’s life and prevented a potential traffic disaster had she fallen onto the highway below.