Officer

California Highway Patrol

11/9/1960

Special Act Award (Gold)

Officer Paul M. Adams was on his beat in Norwalk when a citizen hailed him and told him a man was shooting people on the street. Officer Adams radioed for assistance and proceeded to the scene. When he arrived on the scene, he found one of the victims and crowd of onlookers. As he approached, someone shouted, “Here he comes now” and Officer Adams saw a man running towards him with a rifle. Officer Adams drew his service revolver and commanded the man to “Hold it!” The man took aim at Officer Adams with his rifle. The officer fired one shot from approximately 77 feet away and the bullet struck the subject between the eyes. Subsequent investigation revealed that the gunman had wounded three people in his rampage. When examined, the following weapons were found on the body: one rifle, one 38 special revolver, three knives and a plentiful supply of ammunition.