When Redwood City Police Officers Carlos Ordaz and Honour Knudsen arrived on the scene after reports of multiple shots fired at the 1400 block of Madison Avenue on Aug. 10, 2023, the two were faced with a “very chaotic situation.”
“There were actually multiple gunshot victims; the scene was not easily secured… ,” Redwood City Police Captain Ashley Osborne said recently during an annual Public Safety Night at the Redwood City Elks Lodge to celebrate public safety members.
With the area too dangerous for medics, the officers made a split-second decision that would define their heroism.
“They went in, and they located a victim that was in the most need of medical attention provided that emergency medical care and then made the decision to get them out of that scene, which is unusual,” Osborne said.
The two officers took the victim, suffering from several life-threatening gunshot wounds, applied a tourniquet and moved them to a secondary location where medical personnel could assist.
“Hospital staff later notified the department that if it wasn’t for their quick thinking and decisive action the individual would have very likely bled out,” Osborne said in his speech while presenting the award.
“We just wanted to recognize their outstanding work in saving a life,” he added.
Ordaz and Knudsen were just two of the awardees honored at the event on June 20, which included awards presented to an individual in multiple jurisdictions. One department winner was selected for the Elks Public Safety Professional of the Year award.
“We serve those who are serving us,” said Elks Lodge Tiler Thomas Giannini. “This night is about them.”
The annual event has taken place for around the last 30 to 40 years, according to Giannini. However, this is only the second since the multi-year pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Redwood City/San Carlos Fire Department: Firefighter/Engineer Jack McCoy
McCoy received the award for his life-saving actions after responding to a vehicle versus bike accident on May 16. While there, a 53-year-old woman collapsed from cardiac arrest. McCoy was able to use compressions and attached defibrillation pads, connecting the patient to the heart monitor and bringing her back to consciousness to be transported to the hospital.
Woodside Fire District winner: Public Education Officer Selena Brown
Brown was presented with the award because of her work as a public education officer, in which she developed many programs, including a safe-sitter and a car seat program. As an emergency preparedness coordinator, she has worked with non-profit intercity preparedness programs, developing two programs, one of which is the CERT. She is also an active member of the community, volunteering in her free time.
California Highway Patrol: Officer Tyler Butler
Officer Tyler Butler received the award for his service with the California Highway Patrol over the past two years. His agency described him as having a diligent work ethic, humility in all of his professional endeavors, and an in-depth knowledge of criminal law, as attested by his supervisors.
In introducing Butler as having a long passion for his work, a story from Butler’s grandmother was told, in which a neighbor came over to pay for the two Snickers bars that he had been charged with in a driving citation from 5-year-old Butler.
Atherton Police Department: Officer Vaneesh Kumar and Sergeant Jeff Taylor
The officer and sergeant received this award due to their efforts in saving an individual who was drowning. They were able to use CPR to regain a pulse, providing vital medical support until medical personnel could take over.
Elks Public safety professional of the year: Deputy Toni Skeva and Deputy Kyle Ballard
These two deputies have been given this award due to their actions in responding to the Jan. 23 shooting that killed seven while the active shooter was still at large. They were able to save the life of a victim who was shot by assisting with medical care until the medics could step in.
“They were decisive in their actions and didn’t think about their own safety because as we say in the sheriff’s office people first, service above self and these two did exactly that,” San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus said while presenting the award.
