Officer

California Highway Patrol

10/8/1969

Special Act Award (Gold)

At 1:45 a.m. Officer Joseph A. Voelkle was off duty and in a nearly restaurant near the Santa Ana freeway when he heard a citizen mention there was a traffic collision on the freeway. He climbed a freeway fence and rushed to the scene. As flames licked six to eight feet into the air, Officer Voelkle struggled atop the overturned vehicle, a camper. He could make out a figure, clothing afire, inside. Officer Voelkle strained against the door, but it wouldn’t budge. By now the cab was engulfed in flames. Officer Voelkle jumped to the ground and attempted to open the rear door of the camper, but it was also jammed. The flames then became so intense that he was forced to abandon his efforts to get into the vehicle. Unfortunately both occupants perished. Officer Voelkle suffered second degree burns on both hands.