CHP-Medal of Valor

On April 12, 2005, Sergeant Erik Quisenberry, while off-duty, was instrumental in rescuing a Costco employee from a knife wielding thief. While shopping at Costco, Sergeant Quisenberry heard an unusual sound coming from the offices at the front of the store. Upon investigating, he encountered a man threatening a female employee at knife point. Sergeant Quisenberry first took control of the man's knife hand and removed the weapon. He then forced the subject to the floor and, with the aid of two Costco employees, held him until police arrived. Sergeant Quisenberry's quick response helped Save Jessica Rikkelman's life.

On June 8, 2005, Officer Duane Greaver, Officer Timothy Hall, and Officer Peter Sutherland combined their efforts to extricate an obstinate subject from a burning vehicle. Officer Hall initially attempted to stop the driver of thevehicle for unsafe driving. As a result of his failure to yield, the subject vehicle was involved in a collision which soon rendered the vehicle in-operable. After the vehicle stopped, Officers Greaver and Sutherland arrived to aid Officer Hall. While instructing the driver to exit the vehicle it ignited in flames forcing the three officers to approach the burning vehicle and pull the combative driver out. Officers Greaver, Hall, and Sutherland risked their own safety and rescued David Kwan from his burning vehicle.

On July 3, 2006, Officer Brent Weese, while on-duty, rescued the victim of a vehicle collision where the vehicle overturned off the roadway, slid down a steep embankment, and burst into flames. The vehicle fire ignited the dry grass and shrubs in the canyon making the escape of the asthmatic victim nearly impossible. Officer Weese made his way down the steep embankment to the victim and as a result of the injured and frightened condition of the victim, he needed to assist her away from the fire and up the steep canyon wall. Officer Weese is credited with saving the life of Rebecca Malamma.

On August 26, 2006, Officer Jude Donahue, while on-duty, courageously attempted to rescue the occupant of a burning motor home. Officer Donahue encountered a motor home which was on fire and with the aid of two Los Angeles police officers, he entered the smoke-filled vehicle and located the occupant. His first attempt was cut short by the intense flames, forcing Officer Donahue to retreat. He entered the motor home a second time and tried again to remove the victim from the burning, smoking vehicle. Due to the intense heat and thick smoke, Officer Donahue was forced out of the motor home without the occupant. Officer Donahue's efforts to rescue Ewell Washington, although unsuccessful, were heroic.

On November 3, 2006, Officer Brian Scott Bushey, while on-duty, provided comfort and aid to the trapped victim of a vehicle collision which slid off the road and overturned onto its left side in a near freezing creek. Officer Bushey crawled into the precariously placed vehicle where he stood in waist deep icy water for nearly 45 minutes to assist the trapped driver in keeping her head above water while the fire department extricated her. Officer Bushey is credited with saving Leticia Hansen's life.

On December 2, 2006, Officer Brian Elledge, while on-duty, pulled the delirious victim from a flaming vehicle involved in a collision. Officer Elledge and his partner encountered a vehicle collision with the driver trapped inside. Officer Elledge was forced to break the driver side window and lean into the smoke-filled car in order to pull the confused driver out before being seriously burned. During the extrication of the driver, Officer Elledge's jacket caught fire. Roberto Montoya would have certainly been seriously injured or killed if not for Officer Elledge's efforts.

On July 13, 2007, Officer Corben Whitney, while off-duty, rescued three passengers from a burning vehicle. Officer Whitney witnessed a vehicle collision which caused a van to immediately burst into flames. He quickly removed an adult and adolescent passenger from the vehicle when he heard the cries of an additional passenger. Officer Whitney returned to the van and located a four year old boy fastened in a car seat in the rear of the vehicle with flames all around him. Officer Whitney reached through the flames and grabbed the boy's shirt which ripped away. He then grabbed the boy's leg and tried to pull him free. Officer Whitney was forced away from the van by the heat and smoke. On his final effort he grabbed the boy's leg with both hands and pulled until the straps on the seat gave way, allowing Officer Whitney to pull the severely burned child from the vehicle. As a result of Officer Whitney's brave determination, young Edgar Flores survived the incident.