California Highway Patrol Officer

California Highway Patrol

12/26/1988

Special Service Award (Silver)

On the morning of December 26, 1988, Officer John Meaders arrived at the scene of an accident in Burbank. He found a vehicle hung up on a guardrail and partially suspended 30 feet above railroad tracks. The car's engine compartment was on fire. Officer Meaders asked a nearly citizen to help him remove the driver from the burning vehicle. He returned to the vehicle to remove a passenger, but was unable to do so because of the intense heat and smoke. Officer Meaders then obtained a fire extinguisher from a truck driver, expended it on the flames, and with the aide of the citizen, removed the second occupant. At this time, Officer Meaders discovered a third victim trapped in the rear seat. He and officers from the Burbank Police Department tried to gain access, but were unsuccessful and the occupant later died at the hospital from third degree burns. Officer Meaders suffered from smoke inhalation.