Officer

California Highway Patrol

9/26/1995

Special Act Award (Gold)

California Highway Patrol Officer Bruce T. Hinman, on September 26, 1995, performed an extraordinary act of heroism at risk to his personal safety to protect the three people from an intoxicated driver. This act of courage ultimately cost Officer Hinman his life. At approximately 9:40 p.m., Officer Hinman arrived at the scene of a stranded vehicle in the gore point at the split between US 101 and State Route 170. Upon his arrival, Officer Hinman contacted one of the three young occupants (one male, two female) of the vehicle and escorted him to a Call Box to obtain assistance. Officer Hinman then returned to the disabled vehicle which still contained two passengers. Realizing the car was in a dangerous position, he pushed the vehicle by hand to a location farther into the gore point. Officer Hinman then return to the front of the vehicle and monitored traffic while the driver used the Call Box. Shortly afterwards, Officer Hinman saw a vehicle approaching the rear of the disabled vehicle. The subsequent accident investigation concluded Officer Hinman attempted to wave off the driver of the errant vehicle as it approached the disabled vehicle. As the vehicle came closer, Officer Hinman attempted to evade it, but it was too late. The errant vehicle struck the rear of the disable vehicle also striking Officer Hinman. It was clear that Officer Hinman was attempting to protect the passengers in the car and this selfless heroic act ultimately cost him his life. Officer Hinman passed away on October 3, 1995.