Travis Sutton
Caltrans Equipment Operator II
Department of Transportation
3/10/2021
Special Service Award (Silver)
On March 10, 2021, Caltrans Equipment Operator II Travis Sutton of District 2 Pulga Maintenance, was conducting snow removal operations on State Route 70 in Butte County near the Shady Rest Area. A little after 7 a.m., he noticed snow tracks leading from the roadway towards the Feather River. As Mr. Sutton slowed, he did not see a vehicle. He immediately turned around and pulled over in a safe spot to inspect the area. When Mr. Sutton looked over the riverbank, he saw a vehicle in the river.
Mr. Sutton immediately contacted dispatch to give a location of the vehicle. While doing so, a young woman’s head popped up from the rocks in the river near the vehicle, saying “Please, help me.” As Mr. Sutton made his way to the young woman, he noticed the rocks were too big and slippery for her to climb up. Mr. Sutton then asked if he could pull her up onto the large rocks, and she agreed. Mr. Sutton laid on his stomach, grabbed her hands, and pulled her up.
Once they got up to the roadway, Mr. Sutton gave the young woman a sweatshirt and rain jacket in efforts to warm her up. Mr. Sutton noticed that she was bleeding from her head, and that her lips were turning purple. Mr. Sutton directed her to warm up in the plow truck while Mr. Sutton deployed road flares. California Highway Patrol and area EMS arrived to the scene, and transported the young woman to the hospital. Mr. Sutton’s attentiveness, selflessness, and willingness to go above and beyond to assist the young woman reflect great credit upon himself, his crew, and his department.
With no regard for his own safety, Mr. Sutton went above and beyond the call of duty. The State of California takes great pride in presenting the Silver Medal of Valor to Department of Transportation Equipment Operator II Travis Sutton.