Officer

California Highway Patrol

2/20/2022

Special Act Award (Gold)

On February 20, 2022, at 12:48 a.m., Officers Steven Strobel and Aaron Adair arrived on scene of a traffic crash where they discovered a vehicle with its engine compartment on fire with flames rapidly spreading. The male driver was unconscious and trapped inside. Officer Adair entered the passenger compartment and cut the airbags and driver’s seatbelt. He then grabbed the right side of the driver from the waist, but the driver's feet were caught on the seatbelt. Officer Strobel and an off-duty deputy then assisted Officer Adair in completely removing the driver from the vehicle only seconds before the flames reached the passenger compartment. The Officers carried the unresponsive driver approximately 100 feet away as explosions were heard coming from the vehicle. Officer Strobel and the off-duty deputy then administered CPR until the West Covina Fire Department arrived who then continued CPR and other life saving measures on the driver. Sadly, the driver succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Due to the vehicle becoming fully engulfed in flames during the rescue, Officer Adair suffered severe burns to his left hand and was transported to the hospital by his partner, Officer Strobel. The State of California takes great pride in presenting the Gold Medal of Valor to California Highway Patrol Officer Steven Strobel for his extraordinary act of heroism extending far above and beyond the normal call of duty.