Correctional Officer

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

5/24/2017

Special Act Award (Gold)

On May 24, 2017, at 10:20 a.m., in the Pelican Bay State Prison outdoor exercise yard, holding approximately three hundred inmates, a one-on-one fight started. Correctional officers responded to the fight to stop the incident. While responding staff were attempting to quell the incident, approximately 130 inmates began rushing and attacking the officers. As Officer Michael Humphrey was responding to the incident he radioed Central Control for a Code 3 response. As inmates rushed towards Officer Humphrey, he utilized force to stop the attack. Once the advancing inmates were secured in restraints, Officer Humphrey continued to advance towards his fellow officers who were being overwhelmed by inmates. Officer Humphrey witnessed an officer being knocked to the ground and inmates kicking him in the head, knocking him unconscious. As Officer Humphrey was advancing towards this officer, he was cut off by more advancing aggressive inmates. At one point, one inmate with a state-issued baton that was taken from another officer, advanced towards Officer Humphrey and his partner. Officer Humphrey utilized his baton to stop the attack. Moments later, responding staff arrived and all inmates stopped their attack. With no regard for his own safety, Officer Humphrey’s heroic act saved the lives of fellow officers and inmates in the face of a large prison fight. The State of California takes great pride in presenting this Gold Medal of Valor to California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Correctional Officer Michael Humphrey.