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Neil Logan

Fire Captain

Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

12/31/1984

Special Act Award (Gold)

Gold Medal of Valor
Fire Captain Neil Logan, Department of Forestry, On December 31, 1984, performed an extraordinary act of heroism at great risk to his personal safety while rescuing a woman from a submerged sports car which had plunged into the South Fork of the Eel River near Phillipsville on State Highway 254. While off duty Captain Logan witnessed, from his front yard, a high speed vehicle slide several feet and flip end-over-end into the Eel River. Instructing members of his family to notify the proper authorities, he ran to the river to see if he could be of assistance. Upon reaching the edge of the rain swollen river, Captain Logan saw man swimming away from the submerged vehicle. Upon seeing Captain Logan, he yelled “Get my wife, she is still in the car”! Captain Logan immediately removed his boots and dove into the frigid water. Captain Logan was pushed downstream by the current and had to swim approximately 40’ back up stream to reach the vehicle. Upon reaching the vehicle, he dove under water and going by feel only, due to murky water, he was able to locate the limp body of the female passenger. Removing her from the passenger compartment, he managed to get her on the hood of the vehicle. By this time she had turned blue due to lack of oxygen and he held her head out of the water until she began breathing. Captain Logan then took her to shore by swimming and finally walking through the swift current. Upon reaching the river bank, he administered first aid to both victims until the ambulance crew arrived.