State Traffic Officer

California Highway Patrol

1/28/1988

Special Act Award (Gold)

At approximately 4:15 p.m. on northbound State Route 99 in central Modesto, Officer Paul Fernandez joined in the pursuit of a suspect wanted for auto theft and brandishing a firearm. Officer Fernandez immediately assumed a primary position and remained in close pursuit of the suspect, sometimes reaching speeds of 90 to 95 miles an hour in traffic. The suspect lost control of the vehicle when he was unable to negotiate a 90 degree turn; the vehicle slid approximately 200 feet before coming to a stop in the parking area of an inn. The suspect abandoned his vehicle and was momentarily detained by a witness who released his grasp when the suspect placed a pistol to his head. At this point, Officer Fernandez and two other officers exited their vehicles and approached the suspect. The suspect then ran into the office, jumped over the registration counter and grabbed the clerk, holding the automatic pistol to her head. The suspect screamed obscenities at the officer and stated that he would shoot the clerk. In a brief moment when the clerk fainted and the suspect struggled to keep her in an upright position, Officer Fernandez saw his chance, and with total disregard for his own personal safety, leapt over the counter and onto the suspect. With the assistance of the other officers, the suspect was disarmed and subdued. The suspect had a history of violent behavior and was under the influence of rock cocaine at the time of the incident.