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David M. Tapia

Correctional Officer

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

8/31/2021

Special Service Award (Silver)

David M. Tapia
On August 31, 2021, at approximately 11:29 a.m., Correctional Officer David Tapia was conducting duties off North Kern State Prison grounds in an unmarked CDCR state vehicle. As he approached a shopping center, he observed an adult male throw a softball-sized rock at the front window of the Kern County Department of Human Services building. Officer Tapia immediately dialed 911, identified himself and informed the dispatcher of the nature of the emergency. While on hold, Officer Tapia pulled off to the side of the street and maintained a constant visual on the subject from a safe distance. Officer Tapia observed the subject throwing softball-sized rocks at the window several more times. Officer Tapia decided to enter the shopping center parking lot, positioning his vehicle adjacent to the building, keeping a constant visual on the subject from a safe distance. Officer Tapia once again observed the subject throw a large rock, this time shattering the window. The subject suddenly entered the building through the front door. Unaware of the subject’s actions and still waiting to convey his observations to emergency services, Officer Tapia exited his vehicle to get a closer look at what the subject was doing. Officer Tapia could hear voices screaming from inside the building. He then saw the subject exit the building and stand at the threshold of the front door with what appeared to be a canister in his left hand, with a flame protruding from the top of the canister. The subject threw the lit canister inside the building, engulfing the building in flames. Observing these actions, understanding the life-threatening circumstances occurring in his presence and with an unknown number of civilians and children inside the building, Officer Tapia decided to make contact and detain the subject. Officer Tapia un-holstered his state-issued firearm and carefully walked toward the subject who was walking toward him. With the subject approximately 15 yards away, Officer Tapia ordered the subject to get down on the ground, to which he complied and assumed a prone position. Officer Tapia then ordered the subject to place both of his hands behind his back and to cross his feet, to which he also complied. Officer Tapia kept his weapon pointed at the subject as he waited for additional police assistance. A short time later, a marked Delano Police Department unit arrived. The subject was restrained and taken into custody. Ultimately the fire was extinguished and thankfully no one inside the building was injured. Officer Tapia demonstrated a great act of bravery to protect his community and a noteworthy display of courage in the face of immediate life-threatening danger. He had no way of knowing how many civilians were in the building, and he knew children might be present. Officer Tapia was alone, on hold with emergency services and chose to follow his gut instinct to protect others. The Director of the Department of Human Services in Delano sent a thoughtful letter of appreciation to Officer Tapia, thanking him personally for his involvement in the apprehension of the individual responsible for this terrible act. The State of California takes great pride in presenting the Silver Medal of Valor to California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Correctional Officer David Tapia for his heroic service extending above and beyond the normal call of duty.