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, with 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. Officer Aaron Featherstone encountered an inmate who attempted to take his expandable baton. Officer Featherstone dodged the inmate's attempt and with the help of another officer, subdued and restrained the inmate. Officer Featherstone saw a group of inmates punching and kicking Officer Paul Hicks, who was on his hands and knees. As he responded to Officer Hicks the inmates moved off, but not before kicking him in the head, knocking him unconscious. Then, Officer Featherstone saw Sergeant Mount being attacked by another group of inmates. Fearing he would be seriously injured, Officer Featherstone responded to him to help. As he approached, he used chemical agents on the group of inmates and a number of them stopped their attack. Inmates rushed toward Officer Featherstone and Sergeant Mount. Officer Featherstone gave orders for the inmates to stop and they complied With no regard for his own safety, Officer Featherstone’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 Aaron Featherstone.