Sergeant

California Highway Patrol

1/9/1980

Special Act Award (Gold)

At approximately 12:10, Sergeant Thomas C. Draper responded to a call to close the Camino Capistrano road near the city of San Juan Capistrano due to reported flooding. As he approached the flooded area, Sergeant Draper observed a vehicle being swept off the roadway and a man and woman being ejected into the water. After alerting headquarters, Sergeant Draper drove his vehicle to a small bridge that traversed the creek and positioned himself prone on the bridge with the intent of catching the victims as they were swept downstream. As the victims passed beneath him, Sergeant Draper, with his legs hooked around the railing support and his upper body extended over the water, grasped the arm of the male for a few moments, only to have the force of the water pull them apart. Sergeant Draper returned to his patrol vehicle and raced down a muddy, water-covered dirt road to a point where the creek curved slightly. Observing the woman clinging to a very thin piece of vegetation, Sergeant Draper removed his belt and ignoring the eroding bank and swift current, slowed edged his way towards the now hysterical woman. He attempted to have her grab his belt, but because of her fear, she would not release her hold on the branch. Observing the vegetation was beginning to break loose, Sergeant Draper, with complete disregard to his own safety, entered the raging stream, grabbed the woman and pulled her up the quickly eroding embankment.