California Highway Patrol Officer

California Highway Patrol

11/10/1993

Special Service Award (Silver)

While on patrol, Officer Miscione and Officer Peter Fennell spotted a young woman looking down at passing traffic on the Vermont Avenue crossing of the Hollywood Freeway (US 101). She was standing on the narrow outside flange and clinging to a 3 foot high bridge railing. An unending traffic stream there virtually assures a jumper of being struck by a vehicle upon contact with the roadway. At that moment an undercover LA police officer appeared. He began talking with the woman, trying to calm her down. The CHP car stopped, backed up and Officer Miscione slipped from the rear door and began to slowly walk up behind the woman, as yet unseen. She remained unaware of him until he got within five feet. Then, perhaps sensing his presence, she turned, looked at him and began lowering herself, as if preparing to jump. Realizing this was a critical moment, Officer Miscione lunged, his body and arms reaching far over the railing to grasp her arms and upper torso. The moved pulled him off balance and he struggled to hold on and regain sold footing. Winning the battle, Officer Miscione began to pull the woman upward. The Los Angeles Police officer rushed in to help bring her over the railing.