Officer

California Highway Patrol

3/8/1969

Special Act Award (Gold)

On March 8, 1969, California Highway Patrol Officer Ernest Felio was off duty when he came upon the scene of a traffic collision near his residence. A vehicle had collided with a power pole that was carrying several 12,000 volt electrical lines. Due to the collision, several live wires were hanging across the roadway at varying heights. Officer Felio called in the collision and returned to the scene to render medical aid to the severely injured driver. While Officer Felio assisted another CHP officer who had arrived on scene, a teenage resident who lived across the street from the collision came out to see what was happening. Wanting to get closer to the scene and not seeing the downed power lines, the boy began to cross the street. Due to the darkness, the black power lines, and no street lights, the boy inadvertently walked into an energized 12,000 volt power line. Officer Felio looked up to see a bluish flame leap from the boy’s head and shoulders upon contacting the wire and then saw him fall to the ground. Officer Felio, realizing the possible consequences of what just happened and without regard for his own safety, ran through and around the energized wires in the darkness to render aid to the boy. When he reached the boy, he found him rigid, unconscious, and not breathing. With some significant effort, Officer Felio was able to open his airway and began mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. After several minutes, the boy finally began to breathe on his own and was transported to the hospital. The boy was released a few days later and made a full recovery. Tragically, Officer Felio died in the line of duty in 1980. Officer Felio’s actions, without regard for his personal safety, saved the life of a teenage boy. Officer Felio’s widow is here today to accept this award on his behalf. The State of California takes great pride in posthumously awarding Officer Ernest Felio, this Gold Medal of Valor, for his extraordinary act of heroism extending far above and beyond the normal call of duty or service.