Officer

California Highway Patrol

1/24/2003

Special Act Award (Gold)

California Highway Patrol Officer Brian Brown, on January 24, 2003, performed an act of heroism at risk to his personal safety in an attempt to rescue a victim from a burning vehicle. At approximately 2:35 a. m., Officer Brown, arrived at the scene of a traffic collision, on northbound U.S. 101, south of Vineland Avenue, in North Hollywood. Witnesses pointed out a white 1992 Mazda, which was resting in the Los Angeles River wash basin with major damage and flames coming out of the engine area. Officer Brown directed his trainee, Officer Pardue, to wait at the edge of the Los Angeles River in order to direct fire personnel to the location. Officer Brown climbed over a five foot chain link fence that was on top of a ten foot concrete wall at the west edge of the Los Angeles River. Officer Brown lowered himself from the top of the concrete wall and then jumped to the river bed. He ran to the burning car and found only one person inside, a male in his early twenties, unconscious, bleeding profusely, and apparently trapped inside of the right front passenger seat. Officer Brown placed his body inside of the vehicle and grabbed occupant under the arms, attempting to pull him out. He made several attempts as the fire spread into the passenger compartment and began to engulf the car. Officer Brown was momentarily overtaken by the heat and smoke and turned away to get fresh air. He immediately returned and again attempted pulling the trapped man from the vehicle. Unfortunately, the fire and smoke became too intense, forcing Officer Brown to discontinue his rescue efforts. The Los Angeles City Fire Department finally arrived on scene, put out the fire, and eventually cut the victim from the vehicle. The victim was transported to the Grossman Burn Center in Van Nuys for treatment of his severe burns and internal injuries. Unfortunately, on January 25, 2003, the male victim passed away.