Officer

California Highway Patrol

10/7/2018

Special Service Award (Silver)

On October 7, 2018, at approximately 4:00 p.m., California Highway Patrol Officer Alexander Stirling received a radio call of a possible “jumper” on the Pacific Highway overcrossing above Interstate 5. Upon arriving on scene, Officer Stirling observed a man walking on the right shoulder of the Pacific Highway overcrossing. San Diego Police Department Officer Curtis Bryant also responded to the scene. As Officer Stirling approached the man in his patrol vehicle, the man ran down an embankment onto northbound Interstate 5 and began walking into the traffic lanes and into the path of oncoming vehicles. Officer Stirling initiated a traffic break to slow oncoming traffic and prevent the man from being struck. Both officers then used their patrol vehicles to try and stop the man, but he ran around the patrol vehicles and failed to respond to their commands. Suddenly, the man darted towards the bridge railing and Officer Stirling immediately exited his patrol vehicle and pursued him on foot. As the man jumped over the guardrail, Officer Stirling grabbed ahold of the man’s left ankle and then braced himself against the guardrail. Officer Stirling grabbed ahold of the man’s left shoulder, attempting to pull him back over the guardrail. The man struggled against Officer Stirling’s grip, flailing and pushing against the guardrail. Although Officer Stirling began feeling a sharp pain in his left arm, he managed to hold onto the man even as he dangled and flailed precariously 25 feet above the westbound lane of Friars Road undercrossing. Officer Bryant also exited his patrol vehicle and ran to assist Officer Stirling. Moments later, San Diego Police Department Sergeant Jason Tsui responded to assist and all three were able to pull the man over the bridge railing to safety. The man was taken into custody and transported to the county mental health facility, where he was admitted for psychiatric evaluation. Due to his rescue efforts, Officer Stirling sustained an injury to his left arm and required significant treatment. With no regard for his own safety, Officer Stirling went above and beyond the call of duty. The State of California takes great pride in presenting this Silver Medal of Valor to California Highway Patrol Officer Alexander Stirling.