Captain

California Highway Patrol

11/1/1965

Special Act Award (Gold)

A car containing two men bypassed barricades on Cathedral Canyon Drive and was swept in to the Whitewater storm channel by rushing water. As the flood waters rose, the car overturned and the men, who had taken refuge on top of the car, were thrown into the raging channel. Captain Lloyd W. Watson, who had just arrived at the scene, called for the men to swim to the north bank where he was standing. One of the men was swept downstream to his death and the other was tossed and tumbled toward Captain Watson. Placing his own life in jeopardy, Captain Watson entered the turbulent, debris-filled torrent and pulled the man to shore and safety.