Ukiah Police Department, Officer

Other

3/7/2003

Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor

Sergeant Marcus Young, riding with a 17-year-old unarmed police cadet, arrived at a local Wal-Mart store to investigate the report of an adult female shop lifter who had been placed into custody. As he escorted her to his patrol car, he was approached by an individual with whom the female suspect was associated. The individual threatened officer Young and refused to comply with repeated commands from Young to remove his hands from his jacket pockets. When the individual brandished a knife, Young grabbed his hand. The individual then withdrew his right hand from his jacket pocket, holding a gun and shot Young five times -- in the face, right upper arm, left front side, and in the back. Young was bleeding profusely, with a paralyzed right arm and left hand torn apart about two inches between the index and middle fingers. After stabbing a security guard who had come to help, the assailant entered Young's patrol car, reaching for a firearm. Young, who was concerned for the well-being of others present, directed the police cadet to remove his side arm from his belt and place it in Young's left hand, despite his injuries, Young was able to return fire, fatally striking the assailant.