Chad Millward
Officer
California Highway Patrol
10/8/2017
Special Act Award (Gold)
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On October 8, 2017, at 9:52 p.m., California Highway Patrol Officers Pete Gavitte and Whitney Lowe responded to a rapidly growing fire in the Atlas Peak area of Napa County. Approximately 20 minutes later, their helicopter arrived on scene and observed the
smoke-filled air, fallen trees and downed powerlines across multiple roadways. Trapped residents had little time before the approaching fire would overcome them. Officer Gavitte and Officer Lowe recognized the only escape for these residents would be by helicopter rescue. Despite the firestorm’s wind gusts in excess of 70 miles per hour, and extreme downdrafts and updrafts, they made the decision to fly their helicopter into the heavy smoke and land near the line of vehicles attempting to exit the area. Officer Gavitte stated that, “the intense windy conditions felt like a hurricane,” but he was able to maintain control of the helicopter. Realizing the need for additional resources, Officers Gavitte and Lowe requested assistance from California Highway Patrol Northern Division helicopter, crewed by Officer Chad Millward and Officer Phillip Agdeppa. Upon arriving at the scene, Officer Agdeppa exited the helicopter and was quickly informed of a trapped woman who was more than eight months pregnant. The pregnant woman and three others were quickly loaded onto the helicopter and flown to safety at a local hospital. The officers faced grueling and physically demanding conditions for more than six continuous hours in complete darkness as they conducted multiple dangerous flights behind the fire line while smoke, ash, and embers blew around them. Aerial surveillance after the night of the rescues showed the area where the rescue operations were conducted had been completely overrun by the fire. The Atlas Fire burned more than 50,000 acres and destroyed over 400 structures. With great risk to his own safety, Officer Millward went above and beyond the call of duty, saving 15 lives. The State of California takes great pride in presenting this Gold Medal of Valor to California Highway Patrol Officer Chad Millward.
smoke-filled air, fallen trees and downed powerlines across multiple roadways. Trapped residents had little time before the approaching fire would overcome them. Officer Gavitte and Officer Lowe recognized the only escape for these residents would be by helicopter rescue. Despite the firestorm’s wind gusts in excess of 70 miles per hour, and extreme downdrafts and updrafts, they made the decision to fly their helicopter into the heavy smoke and land near the line of vehicles attempting to exit the area. Officer Gavitte stated that, “the intense windy conditions felt like a hurricane,” but he was able to maintain control of the helicopter. Realizing the need for additional resources, Officers Gavitte and Lowe requested assistance from California Highway Patrol Northern Division helicopter, crewed by Officer Chad Millward and Officer Phillip Agdeppa. Upon arriving at the scene, Officer Agdeppa exited the helicopter and was quickly informed of a trapped woman who was more than eight months pregnant. The pregnant woman and three others were quickly loaded onto the helicopter and flown to safety at a local hospital. The officers faced grueling and physically demanding conditions for more than six continuous hours in complete darkness as they conducted multiple dangerous flights behind the fire line while smoke, ash, and embers blew around them. Aerial surveillance after the night of the rescues showed the area where the rescue operations were conducted had been completely overrun by the fire. The Atlas Fire burned more than 50,000 acres and destroyed over 400 structures. With great risk to his own safety, Officer Millward went above and beyond the call of duty, saving 15 lives. The State of California takes great pride in presenting this Gold Medal of Valor to California Highway Patrol Officer Chad Millward.