Jeremy M. Welch

On March 10, 2022, at 2:11 a.m., Officer Jeremy Welch and Officer Troy Wiltshire responded to multiple reports of a wrong-way driver traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes of Interstate 10.  In an effort to alert and redirect the wrong-way driver as well as slow the flow of traffic behind them, the officers initiated a traffic break, wherein Officer Wiltshire drove in a serpentine like motion with emergency overhead lights on and siren activated.  Headlights of the wrong-way vehicle approached them at a high rate of speed, not slowing down nor responding to the traffic break.

Acutely aware of the wall of vehicles behind them and fearing for the safety of innocent civilians, the officers made the split-second decision to protect others by placing their own lives in harm’s way. They deliberately maneuvered their patrol vehicle directly into the path of the wrong-way vehicle which was traveling over 90 miles per hour. The officers braced for the violent head-on crash and successfully stopped the wrong-way vehicle. While both vehicles sustained major damages, thankfully Officer Welch and Officer Wiltshire survived. They were able to exit their patrol vehicle and assist the male wrong-way driver who suffered serious injuries. The driver and both officers were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. The selfless and heroic actions of Officer Welch and Officer Wiltshire saved unknown numerous lives from severe injury and potential death. The State of California takes great pride in presenting the Gold Medal of Valor to California Highway Patrol Officer Jeremy M. Welch for his extraordinary act of heroism extending far above and beyond the normal call of duty.