California Highway Patrol Officer

California Highway Patrol

4/13/2015

Special Service Award (Silver)

On April 13, 2015, at 3:53 a.m., Officer Darryl Hansen was on patrol with his partner, Officer Timothy Montoya, when they responded to a call of a vehicle on fire on an off ramp in the city of Santa Ana. Upon Officer Hansen and Officer Montoya’s arrival at the off ramp, they observed the vehicle engulfed in flames under a tree. Officer Hansen approached the vehicle and observed a man lying on the ground a few feet from the vehicle, with a toddler walking around him. Officer Hansen immediately moved toward the vehicle and observed a woman slumped forward in the front right passenger seat, her face badly bloodied, with numerous major lacerations. Officer Montoya attempted to open the driver side door, but the door was inoperable due to damage sustained during the collision. Meanwhile, Officer Hansen made several unsuccessful attempts to remove the woman from the vehicle as the flames continued to grow. Officers Hansen and Montoya were able to grasp the woman and began to pull her through the open driver side window, despite the increasing heat and dangerously close flames. While removing her, Officer Montoya heard the sound of a crying baby from within the vehicle and stopped assisting Officer Hansen to investigate. Officer Montoya located a baby on the floor behind the driver seat, and removed her from the vehicle while Officer Hansen continued his attempt to remove the woman, utilizing all of his strength and energy. Officer Hansen was finally able to free the woman from the vehicle and pull her through the driver side window, placing her on the ground near the man and toddler. At this time, the surrounding brush and trees began to burn around the victims and officers. Finally, additional officers responded to the scene and assisted Officers Hansen and Montoya with moving the victims from the burning area to a safe location where medical aid could be provided