Warden

Department of Fish and Wildlife

12/3/2003

Special Act Award (Gold)

On December 3, 2003, Fish and Game Warden James Jones was on patrol in Cordelia, California. At approximately 7 p.m., he heard, over his radio, that a CHP motorcycle officer was in pursuit of a suspect who would not yield to his lights and siren. Knowing that the pursuit was headed directly toward him, Warden Jones joined the pursuit as it passed his location. During the chase, the suspect hit another vehicle and continued to flee. Sometime later, the suspect pulled to the side of the road. As the CHP Officer pulled his motorcycle in behind the suspect, the suspect put the vehicle in reverse in an attempt to hit the officer. Shots were fired by the CHP officer and the suspect fled continuing to evade arrest. Since the CHP officer was on a motorcycle, and was more vulnerable to a collision, Warden Jones led the pursuit. The suspect drove down a dead end county lane and stopped in a long private driveway. As the suspect attempted to turn the vehicle around, Warden Jones positioned his vehicle to block the escape. As Warden Jones and the CHP officer approached the suspect’s vehicle, the suspect again attempted to flee and drove the vehicle directly towards the CHP officer. Warden Jones ordered the suspect to stop but the suspect failed to comply. Warden Jones fired two rounds hitting the suspect in the upper arm which caused the suspect to finally stop. Warden Jones’ ability to quickly assess the situation resulted in his taking action that saved the CHP officer from injury or death. Without hesitation, Warden Jones inserted himself into a potentially deadly scenario while providing assistance to an allied agency, helping to bring a dangerous situation under control.