Each month, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund recognizes law enforcement officers who distinguish themselves through exemplary service and devotion to duty. An Officer of the Month is selected during each month of the year. All of the officers are then honored at an awards presentation that takes place each May, during National Police Week, at a luncheon hosted by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund's Board of Directors in Washington D.C.
The National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial Fund announced the selection of Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputies Paul J. Archambault and John Rose as "Officers of the Month" for January 2003. Deputies Archambault and Rose are currently assigned to the San Dimas Sheriff's Station. They were selected for the "Officer of the Month" for their heroic actions in rescuing a victim, trapped in a firestorm.
Labor Day Weekend 2002, promised to be relaxing and fun-filled for more than 10,000 visitors to the Angeles National Forrest, a 650,000 acre area in the San Gabriel Mountains, and residents of the surrounding area. Tragically, by 1:00 p.m., despite strict fire restrictions, a blaze ignited that consumed 1,000 acres of forest in just the first hour. The "Curve Fire," as it came to be known, over the course of 12 days, destroyed more than 21,000 acres of forest and 72 structures. A comprehensive wildfire evacuation plan, developed by San Dimas Sheriff's Station's personnel, is credited with the successful evacuation of thousands.
During the evacuation efforts, it was learned that despite repeated efforts by deputies and her husband to bring her to safety, Sigrid Hopson had refused to leave her mountain cabin. As a result, she was soon trapped by the rapidly approaching firestorm. Mr. Hopson explained to the deputies that his wife was armed with a .45 caliber pistol and was determined to take her life to avoid being burned alive. Upon learning about Mrs. Hopson, Deputies Archambault and Rose responded in an attempt to reach her home. They were each familiar with the location of the remote cabin.
Fearing for their safety, Fire Department officials refused Deputies Archambault and Rose access to the area. However, Deputies Archambault and Rose were determined to bring Mrs. Hopson to safety. The deputies drove off-road into the burning forest, navigating their way around burning brush and debris from rock slides and fallen timbers. The extreme heat took its toll on the deputies, both their arms were singed and their patrol vehicle was blistering to the touch.
When they arrived within a quarter mile of the cabin, it was obvious their patrol vehicle had sustained considerable damage. Barely able to see through the dense smoke, the decision was reached that Deputy Archambault would remain to keep their truck running in a small and rapidly diminishing area not yet consumed by fire, while Deputy Rose would run the quarter mile down a burning trail that led to the Hopson's cabin. Mrs. Hopson, armed with a handgun, refused Deputy Rose's help and pleaded with him to let her take her own life, rather than be burned alive. Tricking her into believing that she had convinced him, Deputy Rose was able to pull the gun from Mrs. Hopson's hand and escort her back down the burning trail to the waiting vehicle. With visibility down to mere feet, Deputy Archambault drove several miles, maneuvering the damaged patrol vehicle over burning roads, and around large boulders and debris. With two flattened tires and its undercarriage on fire, the vehicle came to a stop within walking distance of fellow rescuers.
Deputies Archambault and Rose braved a deadly fire to save an elderly woman who was surely minutes from death when they arrived at her cabin. When recalling the events of September 1, 2002, both deputies state that they were fortunate to be at the right place, at the right time to help Mrs. Hopson. Both contend that they did nothing especially heroic. As Deputy Rose said, "Any deputy would have attempted the same rescue."
Interviews with Deputies Paul J. Archambault and John Rose may be arranged through Lieutenant Mark Relyea at San Dimas Sheriff's Station at (909) 971-2489 or (909) 599-1261.
SHB-10A-03
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February 5, 2003