Caltrans Tree Maintenance Lead Worker

Department of Transportation

2/23/2023

Special Service Award (Silver)

On the night of February 23, 2023, around 11:00 p.m., heavy snow and gusting winds were blowing through sections of Highway 101 in northern Mendocino County near Confusion Hill. It was one of the largest snowfalls in recent history for the area. Trees and powerlines were falling, and vehicles were disabled along the right-of-way due to the dangerous icy conditions and debris in the road. During an extended shift, attempting to clear trees from the travelway, Tree Maintenance Lead Worker Michael Butner and Tree Maintenance Worker Gonzalo Garcia encountered a couple who were traveling in their RV. The RV was unable to safely make it out of the area due to low-hanging branches, downed trees, power lines and disabled vehicles. During a conversation, the couple stated to Mr. Butner and Mr. Garcia that they were planning to sleep in their RV until the morning in hopes the highway would be passable. After hearing this, both Mr. Butner and Mr. Garcia became concerned for the couple’s safety as trees were actively uprooting and falling in close proximity to their RV. Due to the inclement weather and snow load, they explained to the couple that their RV was under a tree that looked susceptible to failure and pleaded for them to take their tow-behind vehicle and leave the area to safety. The couple were extremely reluctant to leave their belongings but were eventually convinced that getting out of the area was the securest idea. Outside in the harsh weather conditions, Mr. Butner and Mr. Garcia assisted the couple in unhooking their vehicle from the RV, loading up their important belongings, physically pushing the two-wheel drive vehicle to help it gain traction and escorting them out of the area into a safe location. About an hour and a half after Mr. Butner and Mr. Garcia accompanied the couple out of the area, the large tree above their RV fell and crashed through the RV, destroying it completely. The living room, kitchen, and bathroom were all flattened under the weight of the tree. Had the couple not been convinced to leave, there could have been severe injuries or even death. Mr. Butner and Mr. Garcia could have gone about their normal duties, working to open the highway. Instead, they went out of their way, risking their own safety, to ensure the couple was out of harm’s way. From convincing them to leave to physically helping them unhitch their vehicle and escorting them to safety, Mr. Butner and Mr. Garcia went beyond the call of duty. The couple called the next day and left a voicemail on the phone of Mr. Butner thanking them both for their service and for caring enough to help them out of a dangerous situation. Mr. Butner and Mr. Garcia’s situational awareness and concern for this couple’s safety was outstanding. Their professional knowledge and thoughtfulness of the possible outcomes resulted in lives saved or severe injury avoided. The State of California takes great pride in presenting the Silver Medal of Valor to California Department of Transportation, Caltrans Tree Maintenance Lead Worker Michael Butner for his heroic service extending above and beyond the normal call of duty.