Correctional Officer

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

9/22/2015

Special Act Award (Gold)

On September 22, 2015, at 2:15 a.m., off-duty Correctional Officer Jaymi Appleberry returned to her apartment with a friend. After Officer Appleberry pulled into a parking spot, the friend got out on the passenger side, and saw a man armed with a pistol walking toward her. The friend jumped back into the car and tried to lock the door. The armed man opened the passenger door and put a gun to her friend’s head. He also pointed the gun at Officer Appleberry. The gunman grabbed the friend’s hair with his free hand. The gunman then fell, pulling her out of the car. Fearing for her friend’s safety, Officer Appleberry jumped out of the car, ran around the vehicle and fought with the gunman for control of the weapon. The gunman tried to point the pistol at Officer Appleberry’s face. She forced the pistol into the air as the gunman fired two shots. At this point, the friend was able to help Appleberry in the fight. Officer Appleberry gained control of the gun. She and her friend then ran from the assailant, but he followed. Officer Appleberry pointed the gun at the assailant and pulled the trigger. The gun did not fire, but her act caused the assailant to run away. Officer Appleberry credits her CDCR self-defense training for helping her survive.