Officer

California Highway Patrol

8/8/2004

Special Act Award (Gold)

California Highway Patrol Officers Christopher Mode and Ericson Sherwood, on August 8, 2004, performed an extraordinary act of heroism at risk to their personal safety when they removed an incapacitated driver from a burning vehicle. At approximately 1:32 a.m. Mr. Jordan Marques was driving his vehicle at a high rate of speed southbound on Griffith Avenue, an unincorporated road near the city of Turlock in Stanislaus County. Officers Mode and Sherwood were traveling westbound on Bradbury Road. As they approached Griffith Avenue, both officers observed Mr. Marques’ vehicle rapidly approaching the intersection from the north. Upon observing the officers, Mr. Marques braked abruptly and spun out of control coming to rest within the intersection. As Officers Mode and Sherwood initiated an enforcement stop, Mr. Marques accelerated away traveling at speeds of 80 to 100 MPH. In his attempt to traverse a rise in the roadway, Mr. Marques lost control and his vehicle became airborne. It veered west, off the roadway edge, and plummeted down a dirt embankment. Mr. Marques’ vehicle came to rest after colliding with a power pole, which ignited a fire in the vehicle’s engine compartment and surrounding tall, dry grass. As a result of the impact, Mr. Marques received serious injuries. His left leg was also pinned under the dashboard as the fire began to spread into the passenger compartment. Officers Mode and Ericson accessed the collision scene by driving the patrol vehicle along an adjacent dirt road. Despite the presence of dropped power lines, the vehicle fire, and heavy smoke, both officers approached the vehicle and attempted to extinguish the fire. As the fire spread to the passenger compartment, they redirected their efforts towards extricating Mr. Marques who remained pinned in the vehicle and unable to climb out on his own. The officers maintained their position and worked to dislodge Mr. Marques’ left leg from under the dashboard on his vehicle which was now close to becoming fully engulfed. The officers freed Mr. Marques just as the fire had spread to his position in the vehicle. They pulled him through the driver side door frame, onto the ground, and to an area of safety. During the extrication, both officers and Mr. Marques were surrounded by flames, working in an area that also exposed them to the potential of being electrocuted from the dropped power lines. Officers Mode and Ericson exhibited great personal courage in their efforts to save the life of another. As a result of their life saving efforts, both suffered injuries that required medical treatment.