Officer

California Highway Patrol

12/19/2002

Special Act Award (Gold)

California Highway Patrol Officers Jacques Rodriguez and Heraclio Cardenas on December 19, 2002, performed an act of heroism at risk to their own personal safety in an attempt to rescue a victim of a burning residence. Approximately 1:40 a.m., Officer Rodriguez and his partner, Officer Cardenas, were patrolling the unincorporated area of Imperial County near the City of Calexico when they overheard a scanner broadcast of a house fire within the city. Officers Rodriguez and Cardenas responded to the scene to observe Calexico Police Sergeant Gonzalo Gerardo had been overcome by smoke. Sergeant Gerardo advised the CHP officers that a male adult and female child were in the residence. Smoke was billowing out of all sides of the residence and Officer Rodriguez climbed into the bedroom window while Officer Cardenas illuminated the bedroom with his flashlight. Officer Rodriguez made several attempts to pull the child, Ms. Lisa Ramirez, from the bedroom but each time she fell from his grasp. Officer Rodriguez was being overcome by smoke and had to be pulled from the burning residence, to safety, by Officer Cardenas. Fire Captain Art Navarro climbed into the bedroom with the assistance of Officers Rodriguez and Cardenas and pulled Ms. Ramirez to the window into the arms of the CHP officers. Officers Rodriguez and Cardenas helped Calexico Police Officer E. Romo carry the girl to the front yard. Officer Rodriguez bent down to allow the firefighters to step on his back to gain entry. By this time the smoke was so thick that the fire crew was unable to see the adult victim, Mr. Johnny Urena, on the floor in the bedroom. Officers Rodriguez and Cardenas illuminated the interior and directed the fire crew, by voice command to Mr. Urena’s body. The fire crew handed Mr. Urena through the window to Officers Rodriguez and Cardenas, who carried him to the front yard for advanced lifesaving treatment. Although Mr. Johnny Urena and Mr. Daniel Ramirez, Sr., perished in the fire, Ms. Lisa Ramirez, Ms. Ana Ramirez, and Mr. Daniel Ramirez, Jr., was saved.