Officer

California Highway Patrol

8/23/1989

Special Act Award (Gold)

While off duty, Officer Walter Wardle Jr. encountered a three vehicle collision in Vallejo involving a tractor-trailer, a pickup truck and a small car. The small car had been pushed into a pole and was burning by the time Officer Wardle reached the scene. A bystander motioned to Officer Wardle that someone was still inside the car. Officer Wardle attempted to open the doors and remove the dazed driver, but the doors were jammed. He was finally able to pull the driver through the passenger’s window just as the vehicle exploded.