Officer

California Highway Patrol

2/20/2000

Special Act Award (Gold)

On February 2, 2000, At approximately 12:30 a.m., California Highway Patrol Officer Richard H. Washabaugh performed an extraordinary act of heroism at risk to his personal safety when he entered a burning home and attempted to rescue an elderly gentleman who was trapped inside. Officer Washabaugh and his partner responded to a report of a fire at a home near their location in the City of Placerville. When the officers arrived, they found the home almost engulfed in flames. A nearby resident informed them an elderly man was in the house and his bedroom was located on the first floor near the back of the house. Officer Washabaugh ran around to the back of the house looking for a safe entry point near the bedroom. As flames were well established there, he chose not to enter from the back. Accompanied by two Placerville Police Department officers, Officer Washabaugh entered the home crawling on his stomach, remaining in contact with the other officers in case any problems arose. The flames and smoke forced the officers to retreat outside and attempt entry from another outside door. Inside the front bedroom, the heat and smoke from the fire were so intense, Officer Washabaugh was forced to pull sheets off the bed to determine if someone was on the bed. This proved negative, and a further search of the room, including closets, was conducted. This too proved negative. By this time the fire had progressed, forcing the officers to retreat and abandon any subsequent attempts to search the home. The El Dorado County Fire Department arrived and assumed fire suppression duties. After approximately 20 minutes, the fire was contained enough to allow firefighters to enter the building, at which time the body of the lone resident was discovered in the back bedroom. The investigation by the fire department revealed the resident had recently purchased a space heater and had placed it in his bedroom near flammable material, which, apparently, ignited the fire. Although the rescue attempt by Officer Washabaugh and the other officers was unsuccessful, it is evident that every possible effort was made, at the risk of their own safety.