Officer

California Highway Patrol

8/28/2004

Special Act Award (Gold)

California Highway Patrol Officer Jon Kitamura, on August 28, 2004, performed an act of heroism at risk to his personal safety by rescuing four people from a burning vehicle. At approximately 10:15 a.m., while off-duty, Officer Kitamura of the Solano Area encountered a solo vehicle collision northbound State Route 45, south of Grimes Boat Landing. The Vehicle impacted a tree adjacent to the roadway, causing all the vehicle’s doors to be inoperable. The collision also caused the vehicle to catch on fire. The vehicle driver was able to exit the vehicle, but was bloodied and dazed. Four other adult passengers, however, remained trapped in the vehicle in a semi-conscious state. Upon encountering the vehicle, Officer Kitamura directed the dazed driver to a position of safety award from the vehicle. Officer Kitamura then assisted the left-rear passenger Desiree O. Lopez from the vehicle via the drivers’ side window. Thereafter, Officer Kitamura broke the rear vehicle window with an axe (supplied by a nearby unidentified neighbor) to gain access to the remaining passengers. Officer Kitamura entered the burning, smoke-filled vehicle; dragged rear passengers over the rear seat; pulled them through the rear window; and placed them outside the vehicle. Although the fire had spread to the passenger compartment, Officer Kitamura remained in the burning vehicle, climbing over the front seat to access the right-front passenger. Officer Kitamura dragged one passenger to the rear window and pulled him out of the window to a position of safety. Approximately one minute after the removal of all the vehicles’ occupants, the vehicle became totally engulfed in fire. After removing the victims Officer Kitamura remained on scene, used his emergency medical training to triage the victims for Sacramento Fire District personnel and provided emergency medical care to the victims. He also convinced two of the victims, who were attempting to flee because they had outstanding warrants, to remain at the scene.