Officer

California Highway Patrol

7/16/1971

Special Act Award (Gold)

Officer Melvin Pratt arrived at the scene of an accident on the Pomona Freeway in the Hacienda Heights area and found a truck burning with considerable black smoke surrounding both vehicles. Officer Pratt was told the driver was still in the cab of the truck. Officer Pratt stepped upon the running board and reached into the vehicle for what appeared to be the driver lying on the floor boards. At that moment, an explosion occurred and propelled Officer Pratt off the truck and onto the ground. As he arose, a bystander shouted to him “He is coming out!” and Officer Pratt saw the driver lying near the right front of the truck completed surrounded by flames. Officer Pratt went to the driver and pulled him from the fire; a 16 year old bystander wet the driver down with a garden hose.