Officer

California Highway Patrol

10/15/2003

Special Act Award (Gold)

California Highway Patrol Officer Mark Conner, on October 15, 2003, performed an act of heroism at risk to his personal safety when he saved the life of a citizen who was being assaulted with a deadly weapon during an attempted carjacking. At 8:00 p.m., Officer Conner exited westbound Interstate 10 at Tippecanoe Avenue, in the city of San Bernardino, and stopped for a red traffic light at the bottom of the off ramp. Officer Conner was approached by Mr. George Willoughby, who was the victim of a crime of theft which had just occurred at a gas station just north of the freeway. Officer Conner was advised by Mr. Willoughby that the suspect was armed with a handgun and that he had fired at him. The suspect continued to flee on foot in a southern direction on Tippecanoe Avenue. Officer Conner saw the suspect walking in the parking lot of a nearby Del Taco restaurant and lost sight of him. Shortly thereafter Officer Conner saw the suspect cross the street in the direction of a Baker’s restaurant on the opposite corner of the street. Officer Conner pursued the suspect and stopped in the driveway of the Baker’s restaurant. Officer Conner observed the suspect pointing a handgun at Mr. Matthew Shanley through the opened driver’s window of Mr. Shanley’s vehicle. Mr. Shanley was driving a pickup truck and had stopped in the drive-thru of the Baker’s restaurant to order food. Officer Conner exited his patrol vehicle and armed himself with his Smith & Wesson, .40 caliber pistol. Officer Conner pointed his weapon towards the suspect and repeatedly ordered him to stop and raise his hands. The suspect failed to comply with the officer’s commands. A struggle for control of the gun between the suspect and Mr. Shanley ensued. The suspect and Mr. Shanley fell to the ground and continued to battle for control of the gun. Officer Conner moved from a position of cover and safety and advanced upon the suspect. Fearing for his life, as well as for Mr. Shanley’s life, Officer Conner discharged twelve rounds from his pistol striking the suspect. The suspect was subsequently transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.