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. As Officer Christopher Corpstein approached the mass of attacking inmates, he noted a large number of inmates were attacking an officer who was down on the ground. He also noticed a group of inmates attacking Officer Zachery McCully who was being pulled to the ground by the group of inmates. Making a split-second decision, Officer Corpstein decided he could be of no help to the first officer on the ground, but could render aid to Officer McCully. Officer Corpstein responded through the crowd of attacking inmates toward Officer McCully. The inmates turned on Officer Corpstein, and he was forced to deploy chemical agents toward the group of attacking inmates. Due to the large number of inmates blocking his path, Officer Corpstein was ultimately unable to reach Officer McCully. With no regard for his own safety, Officer Corpstein’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 Christopher Corpstein.