JavaScript is not enabled in your web browser. You must enable JavaScript to properly view the Medal of Valor website.

Kerry Comphel

California Highway Patrol Officer

California Highway Patrol

4/26/2016

Special Service Award (Silver)

Kerry Comphel
On April 26, 2016, at 9:19 p.m., Officer Kerry Comphel, was on patrol with his partner, Officer Jason Hughes, when they responded to a woman sitting with her legs hanging over the railing of an overpass bridge. As the officers approached the woman, she stood up on top of the bridge railing, so they stopped their approach and engaged her in conversation. The officers were able to convince the woman to step down from the railing. They slowly moved closer to her while asking her to move away from the railing, but she backed away from them and began looking over the edge. Officer Hughes and his partner determined that the woman intended to jump and quickly coordinated a plan to stop her. The officers rushed towards her just as she jumped head first over the railing. As her body cleared the bridge railing, Officer Hughes grabbed onto her sweater and arm while Officer Comphel grabbed her other arm. The woman actively fought against the officers and yelled at them to let her go. Officers Comphel and Hughes struggled to bring her back over the railing as she hooked her feet to a freeway sign. Although both officers were at great risk of being pulled over the three foot high railing, they refused to let go as she dangled precariously above the road and vehicular traffic below. Once additional backup arrived, everyone helped to bring the woman back over the bridge railing.