LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A local California Highway Patrol officer traveled to Sacramento this month to receive a special award for his work to save the lives of two people injured earlier this year in a crash.

At a ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 5, California Highway Patrol Officer Adam Garcia received the California State Firefighters’ Association Award of Valor for having pulled two crash victims from a burning pickup truck in January.

“I just feel fortunate to have been in the right place and time to be able to help them,” Garcia told Lake County News.

The California State Firefighters’ Association said it gives the Medal of Valor to individuals who “voluntarily risk their own life to an extraordinary degree in saving or attempting to save the life of another person, or voluntarily sacrificed themselves in a heroic manner for the benefit of others.”

On Jan. 27 Garcia came upon a pickup that had gone off of Highway 29 and went into a creek bed. Trapped inside were Dow Walton and Regina Walton, with a third subject, Andy Hopper, having gotten out of the truck.

The vehicle caught fire and the pickup's doors were jammed shut. Despite the intense heat of the fire, Garcia pulled both people through the driver’s window and drug them to safety.

Garcia later was treated by paramedics for smoke inhalation, back strain and exhaustion.

“All of us at the Clear Lake Area office are extremely proud of the life-saving efforts performed by Officer Garcia. When duty called, he did not hesitate to act,” said Clear Lake Area Commander Lt. Greg Baarts.

This is one of several honors Garcia has received for his heroic efforts.

In July, he received a commendation from the Lake County Board of Supervisors. He also was among the honorees at the American Red Cross, Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake Counties' 10th annual Real Heroes Breakfast in April.

Another CHP officer, Brian Henderson, a helicopter pilot from the agency's Northern Division, also was honored at the Oct. 5 event for his actions that saved the life of a fellow officer during a wilderness rescue in July.

CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow said the actions of Garcia and Henderson epitomized bravery and heroism, and exemplified “the highest level of service.”

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