Officer

California Highway Patrol

8/25/1971

Special Act Award (Gold)

Officer Charles W. Neer came upon the scene of three car accident on Interstate Highway 10. One of the vehicles was on fire. Having radioed for fire equipment, ambulance and traffic control assistance, he grabbed a flashlight and crowbar and rushed to the flaming vehicle. The driver was still inside, however the driver’s door was jammed and Officer Neer found he couldn’t open the passenger door either. With the aid of a young man and the crowbar, he broke the front passenger compartment window. Just then the heat exploded the right rear tire and the surging flames forced the rescuers back. As the effects of the explosion diminished, the two men forced their way to the car and pulled the injured man out through the window. Almost simultaneously, the fire moved from the backseat to the front and the car became a raging inferno.