Heroism Award
Robert Bassett
Santa Clara Sheriff’s Department
In October 2003, Deputy Bassett and his partner were working plain clothes on a warrant detail. They drove in to a parking lot in Alviso near Marshland. As they pulled into the lot, they noticed a crowd gathered near the edge of the water with a woman on her knees, praying. Deputy Bassett noticed bubbles coming out of the murky water. Some people in the crowd were yelling that a woman just drove her car into the water, which was now totally submerged.
Without regard for his own safety, Deputy Bassett dove into the slush in an attempt to reach the driver. After several attempts, he managed to find an open window on the vehicle and located the driver. He pulled her out of the vehicle and got her to shore, where he began CPR. Unfortunately, rescuers were unable to revive the woman and she died.
Deputy Bassett disregarded his own safety and demonstrated courage in his attempt to rescue the woman from her submerged vehicle. For his bravery, and conduct that went above and beyond the call of duty, Deputy Bassett is being presented with the Heroism Award.
Heroism Award
Stanley Swisher
Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department
On Wednesday morning, October 1, 2003, an 18-year-old student walked onto the campus of Rio Cazadero Continuation High School carrying a shotgun. Distraught and suicidal over the recent breakup with his girlfriend, later learned by fellow classmates, he entered his classroom waiving the shotgun at his teacher and fellow students.
While several students were able to flee from the classroom, the gun-wielding suspect managed to move to the doorway and force the teacher and other students to remain at gunpoint, creating a hostage situation. Within a few minutes, the school’s resource officer, Deputy Stanley Swisher, arrived on the scene. From the end of the hall, Deputy Swisher could see the suspect standing at the door, armed with a shotgun. Deputy Swisher quickly evaluated the situation and determined that he needed to act before the suspect decided to either shoot the hostages or close the classroom door, thus creating an even more volatile situation.
Deputy Swisher noted that the only way to get within range of the suspect was to cross through the open area of the campus, which offered no cover or concealment. Aware that the suspect had not yet seen him, he made the ultimate decision to take the risk and hurry down the open corridor. Upon reaching the end of the classroom without being seen by the suspect, he noticed two adults standing directly in front of the armed student. Deputy Swisher motioned to one of the adults to move out of the line of fire. As he attempted to get the second adult’s attention, he heard a gunshot that he believed came from the suspect’s gun. He heard more shots coming from behind him and noticed a uniformed deputy running to his location.
The student was now raising the shotgun in the direction of Deputy Swisher. He ordered the suspect to drop the gun, but the suspect refused and continued pointing the weapon at both officers in a threatening manner. Deputy Swisher fired his weapon, striking the suspect. As Deputy Swisher attempted to disarm the suspect, he began fighting for control of the shotgun. The second officer arrived, and together they managed to wrestle the shotgun away from the suspect, defusing the situation.
Deputy Swisher’s quick response and decision to disregard his own safety to assure than an already volatile situation did not worsen is commendable. His courage in moving within a close proximity of the suspect, without cover or concealment, to avoid an even more hazardous situation for the hostages is testimony to his bravery. Deputy Swisher’s action may have very well saved lives on this day, and he is being honored with the Heroism Award.
Heroism Award
Jack Nelson
California Department of Justice
In April 2003, special agents of the Department of Justice–Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement, Sacramento Regional Office, were conducting surveillance in Modesto, California. They were looking for Early Foster Jr., an outstanding homicide suspect. Foster was wanted for two homicides in Pittsburg, one of which was a Pittsburg police officer who had been ambushed and executed while investigating the first homicide.
During the surveillance, suspect Foster was sighted using a pay phone strip mall at College and Bowen Avenue in Modesto. Agent Jack Nelson and his partner, Stanislaus County Deputy Sheriff Tom Fara, approached the suspect to make a positive identification. As they approached and made positive ID of the suspect, Agent Nelson announced several times that they were police and directed him to raise his hands. Foster ignored the commands, dropped the telephone and ran to the open front door of his vehicle. The suspect reached into his vehicle, retrieved a handgun and began running away from agent Nelson. As suspect Foster ran, he fired several rounds at Agent Nelson and the other agents. Agent Nelson returned fire, striking Foster three times and making him incapacitated.
Foster, now lying face down on the ground, still clenched the handgun underneath his body. Agent Nelson ordered Foster several times to put his hands out, but Foster refused. As Agent Nelson approached Foster, intending to handcuff him, Foster rolled over, still clenching the handgun. Agent Nelson alerted the other agents of the immediate danger, warning them that the suspect was still armed and conscious. Agent Nelson, along with other agents, kept the suspect contained until Modesto officers arrived on scene. As Modesto officers arrived and approached the suspect, Foster rolled over and fired his gun at them. Modesto officers returned fire, killing suspect Foster.
Special Agent Jack Nelson’s quick reaction, calmness under pressure and courage under fire prevented suspect Early Foster, a murderer and cop killer, from escaping to kill again. The Golden Badge Foundation is proud to present Special Agent Jack Nelson with the Heroism Award.
Heroism Award
Steven Rivera, David Macheel & Ed Videan
San Jose Police Department
On August 20, 2001, Officer Steven Rivera observed a speeding vehicle and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. The driver attempted to elude Officer Rivera and turned into a cul-de-sac, stopping his vehicle. Officer Rivera blocked the suspect’s truck with his unit and ordered him to turn off and exit the vehicle at gunpoint. The suspect suddenly rammed Officer Rivera’s unit and left the scene.
Officer Rivera put out a crime broadcast and Officers Dave Macheel and Ed Videan responded to search the area. As Officer Macheel approached a nearby apartment complex, the suspect’s vehicle emerged. The suspect fired at least six rounds at Officer Macheel through his truck’s windshield, five of which struck the front of Macheel’s police unit and windshield. The suspect exited his vehicle and ran to the rear of the apartments.
Unaware of the previous gunshots, Officer Videan drove toward the suspect at the rear of the complex. The suspect opened fire on Officer Videan, firing at least two rounds and ran back to his truck. Officers Macheel and Rivera, seeing suspects heading to his truck, ordered him to drop the gun. When the suspect did not comply, Officer Macheel shot the suspect, disabling him. The suspect survived his wounds and was taken into custody. The suspect later told detectives that he intended to kill the police officers.
Officers Macheel, Rivera and Videan demonstrated courage and bravery while being fired upon. Their refusal to back down and let this violent offender get away may have very well saved their lives and the lives of other officers who would have contacted him in the future. They are deserving recipients of the Heroism Award.
Heroism Award
Tom Murphy, Rick Granado, Abraham Galvan, Dario Estrabao, Adolfo Acosta, Phillip White, Eric Rosengren and Michael Albin
San Jose Police Department
In the early morning hours of April 10, 2003, three gunmen set out on a violent crime spree that included multiple carjackings, a bank robbery, a long high-speed pursuit and shots fired at officers.
The event began in the parking lot of the Bank of America on Capitol Expressway as the trio carjacked a victim and then used the car as a getaway vehicle after their armed takeover robbery of the bank. The suspects dumped the carjacked vehicle and fled in a second vehicle. Officer Dario Estrabao stopped the vehicle at an intersection near the bank. The suspect in the backseat pointed a handgun at Estrabao, prompting Estrabao to discharge a shotgun blast at the suspects.
The suspects fled on Capitol Expressway where Officers Rick Granado and Abraham Galvan picked them up and initiated a pursuit. During the pursuit, one suspect reached a handgun out of the right side window and fired three to five rounds at pursuing officers. A short time later, suspects fired three more rounds as the pursuing officers took evasive action.
The suspects continued to Marion at Alum Rock where they pulled their vehicle to the curb and lay in wait for the officers. As the officers rounded the corner, they fired five more rounds at them and drove off again. The pursuit continued to the area of McKee and Kirk where suspects crashed into a concrete barrier in the parking lot of a shopping center. The suspects fled on foot and unsuccessfully attempted two other carjackings in the parking lot.
Officer Rick Granado chased one suspect into a liquor store and waited for a backup. The suspect exited the rear of the store and hid behind a dumpster. Sergeant Tom Murphy located the suspect behind the dumpster and ordered him out. The suspect ignored Sergeant Murphy’s commands and, in light of the fact that he was known to be armed and had fired on officers already, Sergeant Murphy fired a warning shot prompting the suspect to surrender without further incident.
Officer Galvan chased the other two suspects into a store. Officers Erick Rosengren and Michael Albin saw one of the suspects exit the rear of the store. They, along with Galvin, chased this suspect down and subdued him. Officers Phillip White and Adolfo Acosta gave chase to the third suspect in the store. They caught him in a back room and arrested him.
These officers from San Jose knew that they were up against three violent offenders who were willing to kill them in order to get away. The courage that each of the officers demonstrated in relentlessly pursuing them, even after being fired upon, is a tribute to the quality of officers on this department. It is with great pride that the Heroism Award is presented to these officers.
