California Highway Patrol Officer

California Highway Patrol

12/10/1992

Special Act Award (Gold)

At approximately 10:00 p.m. while on routine patrol, Officer Allyn "Al" Burciaga, observed a female pedestrian standing on the Storke Road overcrossing. The woman was looking at US 101 traffic. When Officer Burciaga spoke to the woman, she appeared distraught. Officer Burciaga advised dispatch of the situation, requested a traffic slow down and asked for backup. As he exited the patrol car, the woman climbed over the railing. She threatened to jump if he approached. Officer Burciaga attempted to calm and coax the woman back to the safe side of the railing and off the narrow ledge. As other Officers and Deputies arrived to assist, the woman seemed to become more agitated and kept looking over her shoulder at the traffic below. One of the officers distracted the woman and Officer Burciaga took the opportunity to rush and grab her. He had made his mind up that the woman would jump and preplanned to grab her by the hair. When she saw him running toward her, she attempted to jump. Officer Burciaga grabbed her by her long hair and held on for dear life. As the woman continued to fall, Officer Burciaga felt his elbows hit and come to rest on the metal railing. Two lives hung in balance as Officer Burciaga struggled not to lose his foothold or his grip on the woman. At this point the other Officers and Deputies rushed in to pull the struggling woman back over the railing. As attested to by witnesses, the only thing holding the woman to the bridge was Officer Burciaga. Her feet were actually dangling over the lanes of traffic. Thank to Officer Burciaga's correct assessment of the situation, his quick actions and his willingness to jeopardize his own life, the woman was saved.