A California Highway Patrol officer, who grabbed a suicidal man on a freeway shoulder and prevented him from leaping in front of a speeding truck, was given the state’s highest award, the CHP announced Tuesday.
CHP Officer Jacob Moniz ran into a traffic lane and grabbed the suicidal man, saving him. He was awarded the Governor’s State Employee Medal of Valor for the April 7, 2011 act.
Moniz was on patrol on the San Bernardino (10) Freeway in West Covina, and spotted the man walking on the freeway during the evening rush hour.
He first used a loudspeaker to order the man to stop walking, according to a CHP news report.
The man stopped initially and then walked unto the far right lane. Moniz got out, and told the man to come back the right shoulder, according to the CHP.
The man seemed to comply by taking a few steps towards the officer — and then suddenly bolted into traffic.
Without hesitation, Moniz ran after the man, grabbed the back of his clothing and prevented him from running directly into the path of a passing big rig, according to the CHP. The disconsolate man said he had intended to commit suicide.
Moniz was awarded the Medal of Valor during a ceremony last Thursday at the CHP Academy in West Sacramento.
— City News Service