California Highway Patrol Officer

California Highway Patrol

10/27/2008

Special Act Award (Gold)

On October 27, 2008, California Highway Patrol Officer Michael Stoney arrived on scene and observed two Orange County Sheriff’s Deputies, talking with a woman who was on the outside of the perimeter fence of the Via California Street freeway overpass above Interstate-5 in the City of Dana Point. A citizen was also on the outside of the fence holding on to the woman to prevent her from jumping. The suicidal woman repeatedly tried to break free from the Good Samaritan’s grasp by pushing backwards so she would fall onto the freeway below. Officer Stoney noticed the man’s expressed exhaustion, and fearing the distraught woman could possibly cause him to fall with her, Officer Stoney reacted by climbing out onto the one-foot wide ledge above the freeway traffic. Officer Stoney traversed the ledge to their location in an attempt to rescue them both. Officer Stoney was able to relieve the man by using his body to pin the woman against the fence. He also handcuffed the woman to the fence to further restrain her.

Soon after, Orange County Sheriff’s deputies used a pair of bolt cutters to cut a hole in the fence, and pull all three people to safety. The suicidal woman was taken into custody by the Orange County Sheriff’s deputies. The actions of Officer Stoney, without regard for his own safety, prevented major injuries or death to the distraught woman and the Good Samaritan.