Dr. Allen F. Hendy
Staff Psychiatrist
Department of Mental Hygiene
8/12/1968
Special Act Award (Gold)
![Gold Medal of Valor](images/photos/medal_of_valor_gold.jpg)
Chief Security Officer Alton Hoxie, Frank Brignoli, Assistant Superintendent of Nursing Services and Dr. Allen F. Hendy were at the Patton psychiatric hospital when a gunman, a former patient, arrived with a hostage at the hospital’s admission office at noon. He had come back to Patton “desperate to seek and help and a doctor”. The gunman had already shot his wife and then forced a fellow employee he took as hostage to drive him to a bar in Cucamonga where he shot a family friend. Mr. Hoxie, Mr. Brignoli and Dr. Hendy talked steadily to the ex-patient who was pressing a gun to the hostage’s head. The three eventually quieted the gunman who released the hostage. They continued to talk to the man, “You’ve shot enough people. “ Mr. Brignoli told the gunman, “ If you want help, then give up the gun.” The man then gave up the gun and surrendered to police.