Game Warden

Department of Fish and Wildlife

10/17/2009

Special Service Award (Silver)

On October 17, 2009 Game Warden Jorge Paz was traveling on Highway 154 at the Cold Springs Bridge near Santa Ynez, when he observed a man walking westbound on the bridge. The man was walking at a slow pace, stopping every few steps, and looking down below the bridge, which dropped 400 feet to a canyon below. Warden Paz pulled off the highway, saw an abandoned truck, and asked dispatch to run a check on the vehicle’s plate and for the registered owner’s name. He then informed dispatch that he would be contacting the man. Warden Paz walked towards the man who continued to walk westbound, stopping and looking down below the bridge every few steps. Approximately 30 yards from the man, Warden Paz called out to him by his first name and explained he was breaking the law by loitering on the bridge. The man answered, “what does it matter if I’m gonna jump?” The man told Warden Paz that he had two murder warrants for his arrest out of Oregon. While walking toward the man, Warden Paz continued to talk to him about resolving his issues through counseling. After talking for approximately five minutes, a CHP officer arrived on the scene, walked up and stopped behind Warden Paz. Warden Paz continued to talk to the man asking if he wanted to walk off the bridge and talk about his issues. Sometimes the man insisted he had to jump and other times he would not respond. Finally, Warden Paz used his fingers to signal the CHP officer behind his back. He then grabbed the man’s right arm and pulled him away from the two foot railing. The man struggled and his arm slipped out of his long sleeve shirt as he tried to pull away toward the guard rail. Warden Paz grabbed the man’s left arm and executed a control hold as the CHP officer ran to the man and pulled his right arm behind his back. The two officers were able to subdue the man and place him in handcuffs. Later it was determined that the man had no criminal history, but suffered from mental illness. Warden Paz’s actions, without regard for his own safety, prevented the man from jumping off the bridge to his death. The State of California takes great pride in presenting to Jorge Paz, this Silver Medal of Valor, for his extraordinary act of heroism extending above and beyond the normal call of duty or service.