California Highway Patrol Officer

California Highway Patrol

12/11/2008

Special Act Award (Gold)

At approximately 3:00 a.m. on December 11, 2008, California Highway Patrol Officer Scott Hennessy and his partner, Officer Karl Steinkraus, responded to a call of a vehicle collision on southbound I-280 north of Farmhill Road in San Mateo County. Upon arrival, they found a car blocking the number one lane with major collision damage, and an overturned SUV on fire in the number three lane. While Officer Steinkraus proceeded to help the two victims in the car, Officer Hennessy attempted to look into the burning SUV, but was having difficulty seeing inside due to the intense flames engulfing the SUV. Officer Hennessy quickly moved to the rear of the SUV where he found a man inside who was yelling and frantically kicking at the windows. The man could not kick out the back windows of the vehicle to escape and the flames were intensifying with each passing moment. Despite the great intensity of the fire and heat, and the fact that the vehicle was nearly engulfed by the flames, Officer Hennessy got close enough to the vehicle, pulled his baton and broke out the rear window of the SUV. He then grabbed the man’s legs and pulled him out of the SUV to safety.

The quick action of Officer Hennessy, without regard for his own safety, prevented the death or serious injury to the man.