Sergeant

California Highway Patrol

12/4/2002

Special Act Award (Gold)

On December 4, 2002, Sergeant Randy Nethery was off duty when he observed a vehicle being operated in an erratic manner. As he followed the vehicle, it was apparent the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Lacking a cellular telephone, Sergeant Nethery followed the vehicle until the driver stopped in the parking lot of the US Bank in Weed. Sergeant Nethery stopped his vehicle near the suspect and observed the apparently inebriated driver retrieve a large handgun and conceal it into his waistband and walk toward the bank entrance. Sergeant Nethery realizing the suspect was going to commit an armed robbery armed himself with his off-duty weapon and followed the suspect into the bank. Sergeant Nethery saw an opportunity to rush the suspect and apprehend him. He ran toward the suspect without being noticed and wrestled him to the ground and applied a control hold, immobilizing the suspect until the Weed Police officers and other California Highway Patrol officers arrived from Mount Shasta.