Officer

California Highway Patrol

2/20/2021

Special Act Award (Gold)

On February 20, 2021, at 2:51 a.m., California Highway Patrol Officer Patrick Bourassa and three other officers were in high-speed pursuit of a vehicle traveling south on Interstate-5, near the Santa Margarita River. The vehicle had two flat tires, as a result of a successful spike strip deployment; however, the driver failed to slow down and continued to evade the pursuing officers at speeds up to 100 miles per hour. The driver lost control of the vehicle, drove off the roadway edge of I-5, and overturned multiple times down a steep embankment covered with a thick brush. The vehicle came to rest on its right side, approximately 150 feet down the embankment and immediately ignited. Oceanside Area Officer Gabriel Blanco and Officer Dallin Smedley arrived on scene. Officers Bourassa, Officer Blanco, and two more officers traversed down the thick brush embankment and located the driver trapped in the vehicle. After hearing the driver screaming for help, Officer Bourassa unsuccessfully attempted to break the windshield. Officer Bourassa climbed onto the left side of the burning vehicle and with the assistance of a fellow officer, was able to open the driver’s side door and cut away the side airbag. Officer Bourassa reached inside, grabbed the driver’s hands, and pulled the driver out of the vehicle. Officer Bourassa and Officer Blanco pulled the driver away from the burning vehicle and rendered first aid. Within minutes of saving the driver, the vehicle became completely engulfed in flames. Shortly thereafter, the driver was transported to nearby hospital and sustained major injuries. With no regard for his own safety, Officer Bourassa 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 Patrick Bourassa.