California Highway Patrol Officer

California Highway Patrol

9/29/1986

Special Service Award (Silver)

On September 29, 1986, at approximately 1 a.m, Highway Patrol Officer Jeff Ferber and his partner were dispatched to the scene of an early morning traffic accident at Lake Sherwood. A car had plunged into the cold, murky waters of the lake, submerged, and trapped the driver inside. Upon arrival, they discovered that Ventura County Fire Department Captain Kirk Brown and another firefighter had rowed out into the lake and located the vehicle. Though visibility in the water was virtually nonexistent and the condition and stability of the vehicle were unknown, Officer Ferber immediately swam to the vehicle and began diving in an attempt to locate and rescue the driver. Captain Brown also entered the water, and together they eventually reached and removed the driver to safety. Although the driver later died, the courage displayed by this officer and this firefighter in disregarding their own safety by entering the cold, dark waters without waiting for special safety equipment, reflect the highest standard of both professions.