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Michael Basile

Officer

California Highway Patrol

6/18/2017

Special Act Award (Gold)

Michael Basile
On June 18, 2017, at approximately 2:51 p.m., Golden Gate Communications Center broadcasted a crash involving a box truck, which had crashed into a light pole and tree. California Highway Patrol Officer Michael Basile arrived on scene and found several occupants trapped inside the box truck with the driver and passenger doors jammed shut. Additionally, dry foliage, a tree, and the truck’s tires were all on fire. California Highway Patrol Officer Nhan Mai and California Highway Patrol Sergeant Thomas Byington also arrived on scene and immediately began to assist with the situation. Sergeant Byington ran to assist Officer Basile, while Officer Mai retrieved a fire extinguisher from the patrol vehicle. Officer Mai attempted to put out the fire, but the fire extinguisher malfunctioned. Sergeant Byington advised the Golden Gate Communications Center that the truck was on fire and requested all available units to respond with fire extinguishers to the scene. Officer Mai rolled down the driver side window so the driver could climb out and walk away from the burning truck to safety. Officer Mai and Officer Basile attempted to enter the truck through the passenger side door to rescue the other passengers, but they were unable to pull the door open. Sergeant Byington assisted the officers and used his size and strength to help force open the passenger door. The cab was now full of smoke and visibility was low. Inside, one passenger was bleeding and pinned against the dash. Officer Basile reached into the cab and with the help of Sergeant Byington, freed the passenger and dragged him to safety. Officer Mai observed the front seat passenger reaching out for help but was unable to pull the passenger out on his own. Officer Basile returned to the truck to assist Officer Mai, and together, they were able to pull the passenger out to safety. Officer Mai then climbed into the truck and found another passenger unconscious, slumped over the center console, and trapped between the driver and passenger front seats. Officer Mai pushed the seat with his legs while Sergeant Byington and Officer Basile pulled on the seat from the outside. They were able to free the passenger and drag her to safety. Once again, Officer Mai entered the burning truck and found another passenger on the floorboard behind the driver’s seat. The passenger was unable to move his leg, which was bleeding and pinned by various objects. Officer Mai began pushing the furniture and other items away to try and free the passenger. Officer Basile also entered the truck to help. The officers were able to pull the passenger out through the passenger side door and drag him to safety. All the passengers were successfully removed from the burning truck and received medical treatment. With no regard for his own safety, Officer Basile went above and beyond the call of duty. The State of California takes great pride in presenting the Gold Medal of Valor to California Highway Patrol Officer Michael Basile.