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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso - CC - 025-1973RESOLUTION NO. 25-73 COMMENDING POLICE OFFICER LARRY NOFZIGER WHEREAS, the Chief of Police, by letter dated March 15, 1973, '.o the City Manager made the following written report of the outstanding performance of Officer Larry Nofziger, a member of the Burlingame Police Department, on March 11, 1973,' of which the following is a substantial part: "At 6:22 P.M. Sunday March 11, 1973, the Burlingame Police Department received a report that a boat had overturned in San Francisco Bay north of the Showboat Restaurant, and that people were in the water. Officer Larry Nofziger was the first officer to arrive on the levee east of Airport Boulevard. Upon arrival, he observed an unidentified female hysterically screaming, "They're drowning!" At this time, he observed two males in the water approximately 150 feet off shore calling for help. (The existing conditions were high tide, high winds which created heavy waves, and darkness rapidly approaching.) Both males appeared to be either non -swimmers or suffering shock and exhaustion, as they were flaying their arms in a feeble attempt to stay above water. As Officer Nofziger was requesting assistance from other Burlingame units and the United States Coast Guard, he observed Mrs. Larry Buffington remove some of her clothing, jump in the water and dog -paddle toward the two males. Without hesitation, Officer Nofziger stripped off his gun belt and dove into the water fully clothed, including combat boots, which he felt he didn't have time to unlace. While swimming out, he passed Mrs. Buffington and observed one of the males go underwater and never reappear. He was able to reach Larry Buffington, who was so exhausted that Officer i Nofziger proceeded to pull him toward shore. While doing so, they came upon Mrs. Buffington, who held onto her husband while Officer Nofziger pulled them both to shore. Upon reaching shore, other officers assisted Officer Nofziger in lifting both parties up to dry land. It was now total darkness, which prevented officers in making any further attempts to locate Brian Thompson, who never came back to the surface. All efforts by helicopters were to no avail. Mr. Thompson's body was located March 13, 1973 by members of the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office", and WHEREAS, the Chief of Police has expressed it to be his view that the conduct of Officer Nofziger on this occasion was without regard for his own personal safety and was beyond the call of duty and was performed in the highest traditions of professional law enforcement, and in consequence has given Officer Nofziger a departmental commendation and has recommended that he be given the City's official commendation NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Burlingame that it concurs in the recommendation of the Chief of Police; that Officer Larry Nofziger, on the occasion noted above, demonstrating a disregard for his own safety and at peril to his own life, saved the life of another in the best tradition of his calling and in the performance of outstanding public service; and that this Council notes with great satisfaction that a written commendation from his Chief for his heroic act has been placed in Officer Nofziger's personnel file. MAYOR/ 2 I, HERBERT K. WHITE, City Clerk of the City of Burlingame, do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council held on the 19 day of March 1973, and adopted thereafter by the following vote: AYES: COUNCILMEN: AMSTRUP, CROSBY, CUSICK, MANGINI, MARTIN NOES: COUNCILMEN: NONE ABSENT: COUNCILMEN: NONE CITY CLERK - 3 -