LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – On Thursday a local California Highway Patrol officer who saved the lives of two people by pulling them from a burning pickup received the highest honor for state employees.
Adam Garcia was among 12 CHP officers and 52 employees from eight state departments who received the Governor's State Employee Medal of Valor Award in a Thursday ceremony in West Sacramento.
The Medal of Valor is given to public servants who demonstrate extraordinary acts of bravery and heroism in order to save the life of another.
Gov. Jerry Brown’s Executive Secretary Nancy McFadden presented the honorees with the medals, with CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow joining her to present the honors to the CHP officers.
“These individuals put their lives on the line, acting selflessly to protect others.” McFadden said. “They are our modern day heroes.”
Garcia, 37, has served in the CHP since March 2002, transferring to the Clear Lake Area office in May 2005.
Raised in Lake County, Garcia is a graduate of Lower Lake High School. He's a husband and dad who also coaches youth wrestling.
“I'm honored to join the select few who have received this award since its inception. I have a long history in this community from childhood and I'm blessed to be able to serve the people who have helped shape me into the man I am today,” Garcia told Lake County News on Thursday evening.
Those honored received their Medals of Valor for actions both on and off-duty, the state reported. Actions include rescuing a driver from a burning car on the side of a busy freeway, saving children from drowning and intervening in a gang-related stabbing.
In Garcia's case, in January 2013 he pulled a couple from a pickup that had gone off Highway 29 north of Hofacker Lane and overturned, landing in a creek bed.
When Garcia got to the scene, the pickup's passenger side engine compartment ignited, with the couple trapped inside.
Despite the danger, Garcia traveled down the steep embankment and managed to pull both the man and woman out and to safety. Both were injured but survived.
He noted in an October 2013 interview with Lake County News, “I just feel fortunate to have been in the right place and time to be able to help them.”
Garcia has since received a number of accolades for his act of heroism, including being an honoree at the American Red Cross of Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake Counties' Real Heroes Breakfast in April 2013, a commendation in July 2013 from the Lake County Board of Supervisors, the California State Firefighters’ Association Award of Valor in October 2013 and the California Peace Officers Association Award of Valor in November 2013.
Since the Governor's State Employee Medal of Valor Award inception in 1959, 523 California state employees from 28 departments – and in all professions, from analyst to water resources technician – have received the award, the California Department of Human Resources reported.
The first gold Medal of Valor was given March 6, 1959, to CHP Officer Robert W. Walker by Gov. Edmund G. Brown Sr., father of the current governor. Walker entered a burning house and rescued a 2-year-old boy who was left all alone that night.
Award nominations are made by the employee’s department and selected by the director of the California Department of Human Resources.
“California’s public servants are dedicated to their state,” said California Department of Human Resources Director Richard Gillihan. “These acts of bravery are not surprising because these individuals have dedicated their careers to helping others. They represent the best in public service.”
Garcia's citation is shown below in its entirety.
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CITATION FOR A HEROIC ACT
Performed by
ADAM GARCIA
Officer
California Highway Patrol
On January 27, 2013, at approximately 8:27 p.m., California Highway Patrol Officer Adam Garcia responded to a call involving an overturned pick-up in Lake County. The truck driver attempted to pass another vehicle and lost control, sliding sideways, overturning, and landing in a creek bed with the front end wedged up against an embankment. The truck was also occupied by the driver’s wife and another passenger.
As Officer Garcia arrived on the scene, the passenger side engine compartment started to ignite and the passenger quickly climbed out the rear window. The driver and his wife, however, were trapped inside. Officer Garcia climbed down the steep embankment and as he approached the truck, the right side became engulfed in flames.
Both the driver and the passenger doors were jammed shut. Officer Garcia attempted to pull the driver out through his window, but he couldn’t because the driver’s leg was in a cast and pinned under the dashboard. The windshield was broken and flames quickly began to enter where the driver’s wife was seated. Officer Garcia grabbed the woman, pulled her over the top of her husband, and out of the burning vehicle. Officer Garcia returned for the driver and, with persistent tugging, was able to free his leg and pull him out through his window.
The woman suffered severe burns to her upper body and the man sustained a fractured shoulder and wrist, but both survived.
The State of California takes great pride in presenting this Gold Medal of Valor to Officer Adam Garcia.