California Highway Patrol Officer

California Highway Patrol

10/30/2011

Special Service Award (Silver)

On October, 30, 2011, at approximately 10:46 a.m., California Highway Patrol Officer Joseph Heightman was flagged down by a man who told him a car had left the roadway and hit a chain link fence and tree in Escondido. Officer Heightman quickly found the car and saw the driver was unconscious and appeared to be suffering from a seizure. Clearing away the tree branches, Officer Heightman got into the backseat and immediately held the driver’s head and neck to protect his spine and keep his airway open. After a few minutes, flames began to enter the vehicle. Officer Heightman attempted to remove the driver but his seatbelt was not functioning. He used his pocket knife to cut the seatbelt, but the driver’s legs were trapped underneath the steering column. Although he couldn’t see through the smoke, Officer Heightman reached in and found the steering wheel adjustment handle, allowing him to move the steering wheel and free the driver’s legs. He removed the man from the driver’s seat and, supporting his head and neck, dragged him to safety just as the vehicle became totally engulfed in flames.