Lieutenant

Department of Fish and Wildlife

8/5/2005

Special Act Award (Gold)

On August 5, 2005, at approximately 7:15 a.m., California Department of Fish and Game Warden Adam Kavanagh, Patrol Lieutenant John Nores and Warden Kyle Kroll collaborated with a team of law enforcement officers from the Santa Clara Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Unit on an early morning marijuana eradication detail in the mountains west of Los Gatos. The team hiked several miles to reach the marijuana plantation. As they moved into the area, at least two growers ambushed the team, shooting Warden Kroll through both legs. As Warden Kroll fell to the ground, Lt. Nores returned fire and positioned himself between Warden Kroll and the growers in an attempt to protect Warden Kroll from being shot again. Sheriff’s deputies also returned fire and later discovered they had shot and killed one of the growers. After the initial firefight, the team was unable to locate the growers due to dense brush. They immediately set up a defensive perimeter, and Lt. Nores assessed Warden Kroll’s injuries and administered first aid. Warden Kroll’s gunshot wounds were bleeding profusely, so Lt. Nores applied direct pressure, covered, and tied-off both leg wounds. The team held their perimeter and radioed their situation to dispatch. A short time later, the rescue helicopter flew over to mark the teams’ location but was directed not to land until the hillside was secured from the possible sniper fire from the still unknown location of the armed growers. For the next two and a half hours, the team waited and maintained a perimeter. Lt. Nores continued to apply first aid and monitor Warden Kroll’s vital signs. When the helicopter returned, the team was told that a rescue basket could not be lowered due to the dense vegetation. Without hesitation, Warden Kavanagh volunteered to cut a landing pad. Knowing that he would have to break cover, making him a possible target for the armed growers, Warden Kavanagh cut an 8 x 8 landing pad with his machete as the rest of the team covered him. With the landing pad now established, the rescue helicopter lowered a medic and basket to safely retrieve Warden Kroll and delivered him to the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. Due to Lt. Nores and Warden Kavanagh’s professionalism, bravery, and self-sacrifice, Warden Kroll survived, recovered, and ultimately returned to full duty.