Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. was joined by Attorney General Kamala D.
Harris today to honor three individuals with the Public Safety Officer
Medal of Valor for their extraordinary commitment, service and bravery
in the line of duty.
This year’s recipients of California's highest public safety award
included San Francisco Fire Department Firefighter William Mulkeen,
Riverside Police Department Officer Zachariah Fishell and El Cajon
Police Department Officer Jarred Slocum.
“The heroes we honor today faced incredible danger and without
hesitation, put their own lives on the line to protect others,” said
Governor Brown. “Their courage under fire is deeply inspiring.”
The Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor Act of 2003 gives the Governor
the authority to award a Medal of Valor to public safety officers who
are cited by the Attorney General for extraordinary valor above and
beyond the call of duty. The Attorney General’s Office receives
nominations from public safety agencies. These nominations are reviewed
by the Medal of Valor Review Board, which makes a recommendation to the
Attorney General.
“Peace officers and firefighters enter the most noble of professions and
put service above self every day,” said Attorney General Kamala D.
Harris. “The three heroes we honor with the Medal of Valor put
themselves in harm's way, acted decisively and courageously. They saved
lives and we thank them for their bravery.”
The following individuals were awarded the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor today:
San Francisco Fire Department Firefighter William Mulkeen
On January 1, 2011, at 1:30 a.m., Firefighter William Mulkeen and other
San Francisco Fire Department personnel were dispatched to an active
fire of a three-story multi-residential building. Upon arrival, the fire
truck was unable to park in a manner to deploy the truck’s high rise
ladder. Smoke was pouring from the top of the building and while a
perimeter check was conducted, two elderly people were seen frantically
waving their arms and pleading for help from a third story window. An
immediate rescue of the trapped residents was needed.
As is one of the vital skill-sets of California’s firefighters, San
Francisco Fire Department personnel quickly improvised another rescue
plan due to the unavailability of the truck’s ladder. As critical time
hung in the balance, Firefighter Mulkeen, his captain and another
firefighter took action. The triad used a portable 24-foot ladder and
rope to “bridge” the ladder over an alley located between the burning
structure and the roof of the adjacent building. While the Captain
lowered the ladder into the window where the two elderly people were
trapped, the other firefighter anchored the ladder. Firefighter Mulkeen,
who was wearing full firefighter safety equipment, then crawled across
the make-shift bridge ladder in between the two buildings to rescue the
trapped residents.
When Firefighter Mulkeen reached the two people, they were emotionally
overcome by smoke, fearful of crawling across the ladder due the
concrete alley below and were now uncooperative. Firefighter Mulkeen
removed his turnout coat and wrapped it around the first victim in order
to restrict his movement. He then removed his self-contained breathing
apparatus, grabbed the man and carried the man while crawling back
across the ladder. Once again, Firefighter Mulkeen put himself in harm’s
way and returned across the ladder to rescue the second trapped person,
who was also uncooperative. He repeated the same actions and without
hesitation, he carried her across the ladder to the roof of the adjacent
building. Due to Firefighter Mulkeen’s extraordinary bravery, both
residents’ lives were saved.
Riverside Police Department Officer Zachariah Fishell
On May 10, 2011, at 5:50 p.m., Officer Zachariah Fishell was on routine
patrol driving his marked police unit through a bustling Riverside
residential neighborhood. Suddenly, Officer Fishell heard gunshots and
within ninety seconds, he located the origin of the gunfire. One victim
had already been shot and as concerned neighbors stood in their yards,
Officer Fishell found the “active shooter” suspect who was still firing
his weapon.
Officer Fishell could not wait for assistance and he courageously
approached the house where he could see the suspect shooting a second
victim who lay prone on the ground. Officer Fishell immediately engaged
the active shooter suspect and fired his service revolver at the
suspect who then stopped his deadly attack on the second victim. The
suspect hid behind a large truck in an attempt to find out where the
single shot had come from. Officer Fishell continued to advance the
suspect who crossed the street and was running towards residential
homes.
Officer Fishell believed the active shooter suspect would enter one of
the houses and continue his deadly attacks against additional innocent
residents. Although still thirty yards away, Officer Fishell fired three
rounds and mortally wounded the advancing suspect. Tragically, both
shooting victims died at the scene. Officer Fishell’s heroic actions
reflected one of law enforcement’s fundamental duties which call upon
officers to protect the peaceful against violence and disorder.
El Cajon Police Department Officer Jarred Slocum
On August 21, 2011 at 5:09 p.m., Officer Jarred Slocum and his trainee
partner, along with other El Cajon Police Department patrol units, were
dispatched to a possible shooting call. Unbeknown to the responding
officers, a suspect had shot and killed his mother-in-law and 14-month
old daughter. Upon arriving on scene, officers saw that the residence
was on fire. The suspect had armed himself with a handgun and was hiding
out of view on the front porch.
As Officer Slocum approached the burning structure, he used the cover of
vehicles in an attempt to avoid being struck by possible gunfire. The
suspect then began firing his handgun and Officer Slocum was shot in the
head.
Although seriously injured, Officer Slocum was able to return gunfire,
forcing the suspect to retreat into the residence. Officer Slocum
remained composed and focused and continued to cover the suspect’s
residence for the safety of his fellow officers and citizens. Officer
Slocum was then able to remove himself from the immediate threat to an
area where he could receive medical assistance. Officer Slocum’s
exemplary “will to survive” during this violent encounter allowed him to
remain courageous and calm in the face of extreme danger.
