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Glendale Police - Press Releases
Glendale Police Press Releases
Reserve Officer Receives Award
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| Date Posted: |
2/24/2010 11:07:09 AM |
| Bulletin Number: |
10-16 |
| DR Number: |
10-16 |
| Announcement: |
In May of 2008 the Glendale Police Department honored Reserve Officer Ari Simonyan with the Medal of Valor, one of the highest awards that is bestowed upon an Officer in the Glendale Police Department. Ari’s valor was then presented by the Glendale Police department to the Police Officer Association of Los Angeles County, (POALAC). On February 3, 2010 POALAC honored Officer Ari Simonyan with and award for his dedication and service as a Reserve Police Officer. Ari was unavailable to attend the event due to his business and recent travels out of state. The award was accepted my members of the Glendale Police Department on his behalf. Today Chief De Pompa will present Ari with his award. “Ari is an example of the best and the bravest we have,” said Chief De Pompa. “Our regular sworn ranks are complimented by our Reserve Forces Unit that volunteers their time. The community should be proud of these officers who disregard their personal safety to save others; with that said, I am proud that the Police Officer Association of Los Angeles County has honored Officer Ari Simonyan.”
The POALAC Reserve Officer Award recognized Ari for his valor, excellence and outstanding achievement. POALAC and the community are grateful to all reserve peace officers, whose dedication, volunteerism, and patriotism are an example to all of us.
Peace Officers Association of Los Angeles County
Los Angeles District Attorney's Office
Bureau of Community Relations
320 W Temple St, Room 1162, Los Angeles, CA 90012
866-POALACO (866-762-5226)
Event:
On December 22, 2007 at approximately 1820 hours, Ari was traveling w/b on the 118 freeway at White Oak. Traffic began to slow down due to an accident and he approached the scene, he observed an overturned vehicle in the carpool lane. Several people were running towards the vehicle, which had caught fire, to assist the occupants. Ari pulled over as well to assist the occupants. Ari rushed to the driver’s side window, where two other people were attempting to break the window. Between the three of them, they were unable to break out the driver’s side window.
Ari and another passerby went to the rear of the vehicle and made entry through the rear passenger door, but were pushed back by flames and smoke. At this time, a CHP officer arrived on scene and tried to extinguish the flames only to find out that the extinguisher was inoperable. With help from passing motorists, an extinguisher was found and used on the vehicle. Due to the extreme heat and flames, this only temporarily slowed the flames from engulfing the vehicle.
Ari rushed back to the driver’s side window and along with the two individuals continued to try and break the window. During their attempts, they could hear the driver and sole occupant screaming for help and could see him on fire. They were able to finally break the window, clear the glass, and pull him from the burning vehicle.
As a result of this incident, the driver sustained severe burns to his torso, head, arms, hands, and his right leg. Ari is credited for saving the liefe of this driver. |
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