Warden

Department of Fish and Wildlife

8/5/2005

Special Act Award (Gold)

August 5, 2005, California Department of Fish and Game Warden Adam Kavanagh and Patrol Lieutenant John Nores performed an act of heroism at great risk to their personal safety in order to save the life of a fellow Game Warden who was shot and wounded. At approximately 7:15 a.m., a team of law enforcement officers from the Department of Fish and Game and the Santa Clara Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Unit went into the mountains west of Los Gatos, on an early morning marijuana eradication detail. Lt. Nores and Warden Kavanagh were accompanied by Warden Kyle Kroll. The team hiked several miles to reach the marijuana plantation. As they moved into the area, at least two growers ambushed the team, shooting Warden Kroll through both legs. As Warden Kroll fell to the ground, Lt. Nores returned fire and positioned himself between Warden Kroll and the growers in an attempt to protect Warden Kroll from being shot again. Sheriff’s deputies also returned fire and later discovered they had shot and killed one of the growers. After the initial firefight, the team was unable to locate the growers due to dense brush. They immediately set up a defensive perimeter, and Lt. Nores assessed Warden Kroll’s injuries and administered first aid. The gunshot wounds to Warden Kroll’s legs were bleeding profusely so Lt. Nores applied direct pressure, covered, and tied-off both leg wounds. The team held their perimeter and radioed their situation to dispatch. A short time later, the rescue helicopter flew over and marked the teams’ location on the hill. However, the rescue crew was directed not to land until the hillside was secured from the possible sniper fire from the still unknown location of the armed growers. For the next two and a half hours, the team waited and maintained a perimeter. Lt. Nores continued to apply first aid and monitor Warden Kroll’s vital signs. When the helicopter returned, the team was told that a rescue basket could not be lowered due to the dense vegetation. Without hesitation, Warden Kavanagh volunteered to cut a landing pad. Knowing that he would have to break cover, making him a possible target for the armed growers, Warden Kavanagh cut an 8 x 8 landing pad with his machete as the rest of the team covered him. With the landing pad now established, the rescue helicopter lowered a medic and basket to safely retrieve Warden Kroll and delivered him to the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. Due to Lt. Nores and Warden Kavanagh’s professionalism, bravery, and self-sacrifice, Warden Kroll survived, recovered, and ultimately returned to full duty.