Officer

California Highway Patrol

8/27/2020

Special Act Award (Gold)

At 6:43 a.m. on August 27, 2020, a private civilian airplane was departing from Benton Airpark and crashed just after take-off. Sergeant Jeff Edgerton noticed from his office window that a private airplane was attempting to takeoff at an unusual altitude that was immediately apparent to him was not consistent with sustained flight. Sergeant Edgerton shouted to everyone in the office that a plane was about to crash and multiple employees exited the office towards the runway. The airplane departed the runway complex and crashed into a steep, brush-filled ravine just north of Placer Street. Officer Mallory was one of the first officers out the door. Officer Mallory, Officer Jeffery Hatcher, and Officer Eric Pohrman arrived within approximately 30 seconds of the crash. Lieutenant Michael Berry, Officer Mallory, Officer Pohrman, and Officer Hatcher arrived at the burning crash site and observed the first victim on the ground about 10 feet from the burning fuselage. While circling the aircraft, they came upon a second victim who had been thrown 20 feet from the aircraft and was actively on fire. Officer Pohrman utilized a patrol vehicle fire extinguisher to put out the fire on and around the second victim. Officer Mallory, Lieutenant Berry, and Officer Hatcher picked up the second victim and moved him away from the engulfed fuselage. After pulling the second victim to safety, Officer Mallory went back towards the fully engulfed wreckage, to assist the first victim. The aircraft’s onboard oxygen tank had caught fire and caused a large secondary explosion. Officer Pohrman and Officer Steve Weyand were successful in keeping the fire from engulfing the first victim, who was able to crawl 5 more feet from the intense heat of the wreckage. Sergeant Edgerton, Officer Pohrman, and Officer Hatcher were able to pull the second victim even further away from the burning aircraft and vegetation. Officer Mallory continued to search for additional survivors until it was determined that two remaining occupants that were trapped inside the aircraft had perished. Officer Mallory retrieved a backboard so the victims could be prepared for transport up the ravine. He assisted in carrying the injured victims up the steep embankment to the awaiting ambulances.

With no regard for his own safety, Officer Mallory went above and beyond the call of duty. The State of California takes great pride in presenting this Gold Medal of Valor to California Highway Patrol Officer Erik Mallory.