State Traffic Officer

California Highway Patrol

1/9/1991

Special Act Award (Gold)

On January 9, 1991, at approximately 8:40 p.m., State Traffic Officer Monica Alvarado responded to a radio call of a male pedestrian threatening to commit suicide by jumping from the freeway onto a surface street below. Upon arriving at the location, Officer Alvarado observed a male standing on the shoulder looking over the freeway guardrail onto the street below. Officer Alvarado exited her vehicle and began approaching the individual. As she moved closer he shouted “Stay away or I’ll jump!” He then straddled the guardrail, turned towards her and shouted “Don’t come any closer!” while pulling his other leg over the railing. As the man began to push himself off the railing, Officer Alvarado leapt at him, grabbing the sleeve of his jacket. As she gained hold of his jacket, she was pulled against and halfway over the metal railing. Due to the size and weight of the man, Officer Alvarado could not pull him to safety. Realizing that she could not hold onto him for any lengthy period of time, she released her grip with one hand and used the microphone cord of her radio extender to request assistance, holding onto the suspect for approximately two and a half minutes until assistance arrived.