California Highway Patrol Officer

California Highway Patrol

8/31/2013

Special Act Award (Gold)

On August 31, 2013, at approximately 1:30 p.m., California Highway Patrol Officer Angel Arceo responded to a traffic collision in San Joaquin County involving a fuel tanker truck and trailer carrying approximately 8,400 gallons of gas. The tanker trailer ruptured and ignited the gasoline as it spilled out onto the roadway. The truck and trailer exploded and fire quickly spread across the roadway and along the shoulder, igniting grass, structures, and four power poles. Live power lines fell across the front yard and driveway of a house and were approximately two feet off the ground. The resident, a woman, was recovering from hip surgery when she heard the explosion and saw fire spreading across her front yard near her propane tank. She made her way onto the driveway, but became trapped as the flames quickly spread to both sides. When Officer Arceo arrived he saw the woman standing at the end of her driveway. He quickly ran towards her and she explained the situation. Fearing for her life, Officer Arceo jumped over the power lines and carried her to safety as the fire burned the entire front and east side of her property. The State of California takes great pride in presenting this Gold Medal of Valor to Officer Angel Arceo.