State Park Ranger

Department of Parks and Recreation

7/3/1986

Special Act Award (Gold)

On July 3, 1986, Ranger Michael Dragoo rushed to the scene after being alerted that two boys were caught in the swift current of the Sacramento River. Seeing only one boy, he ran down a steep embankment and immediately swam out to the youth, reaching him just as the boy went under the water. In spite of muscle cramps and the boy’s dog climbing on to his back and scratching him, Ranger Dragoo held on to the young boy until a rescue boat reached them.