Santa Barbara Citizens' Council on Crime H. Thomas Guerry Awards Program
2011 Nomination Form
Submitted by (Agency) : Santa Maria Police Department
Category of Award: H. Thomas Guerry Award for VALOR
A. NAME OF NOMINEE: Robert W. Prescott
B. RANK OF NOMINEE: Corporal
C. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Current Assignment:
Corporal Robert Prescott has been a member of our department's Traffic Bureau since
December 2001.
History with Department:
Corporal Prescott has been employed by the Santa aria Police Department for 13 years.
During his tenure with the department he has as a Patrol Officer and as a Motor Officer.
Corporal Prescott was promoted to the rank of Corporal in 2008.
Prior Law Enforcement Experience:
Corporal Prescott began his law enforcement career with the Lompoc Police Department
in 1993, where he worked for five years before joining the Santa Maria Police
Department in 1998.
D. GENERAL STATEMENT ABOUT QUALIFICATIONS FOR NOMINATION:
Corporal Robert W. Prescott risked imminent danger, as well as his personal safety while
attempting to rescue two children from a burning home.
E. SPECIFIC ILLUSTRATIONS:
On the aftemoon of November 10, 2010, Corporal Prescott and other officers responded
to a structure fire on Marcia Way, in which the upper floor of the home was fully
engulfed in flames. The initial information provided confirmed the presence of children
inside the house. Without regard for their own personal safety, officers entered the
structure in hopes to locate and rescue the children. Their preliminary search produced
negative results, and they exited the house as the stairwell to the second level appeared
impassable.
The mother confirmed that her two children were still in the house, and at least one child
was in the upstairs bedroom. Acting upon this information, Corporal Prescott re-entered
the house to search for the children. Corporal Prescott located a five-year-old boy in a
downstairs bathroom, and safely evacuated the child. At this time, the Fire Department
anived and began to deploy equipment to fight the blaze. It was not until the Fire
Battalion Chief ordered officers out and away from the house, that Corporal Prescott
abandoned his attempt to rescue the second child. Although great efforts were made by
all, tragically, the second child could not be saved, and succumbed to the fire.
Nominated by: Danny R. Macagni
Title: Chief of Police
Date: 4/19/11
2011 Nomination Form
Submitted by (Agency) : Santa Maria Police Department
Category of Award: H. Thomas Guerry Award for VALOR
A. NAME OF NOMINEE: Robert W. Prescott
B. RANK OF NOMINEE: Corporal
C. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Current Assignment:
Corporal Robert Prescott has been a member of our department's Traffic Bureau since
December 2001.
History with Department:
Corporal Prescott has been employed by the Santa aria Police Department for 13 years.
During his tenure with the department he has as a Patrol Officer and as a Motor Officer.
Corporal Prescott was promoted to the rank of Corporal in 2008.
Prior Law Enforcement Experience:
Corporal Prescott began his law enforcement career with the Lompoc Police Department
in 1993, where he worked for five years before joining the Santa Maria Police
Department in 1998.
D. GENERAL STATEMENT ABOUT QUALIFICATIONS FOR NOMINATION:
Corporal Robert W. Prescott risked imminent danger, as well as his personal safety while
attempting to rescue two children from a burning home.
E. SPECIFIC ILLUSTRATIONS:
On the aftemoon of November 10, 2010, Corporal Prescott and other officers responded
to a structure fire on Marcia Way, in which the upper floor of the home was fully
engulfed in flames. The initial information provided confirmed the presence of children
inside the house. Without regard for their own personal safety, officers entered the
structure in hopes to locate and rescue the children. Their preliminary search produced
negative results, and they exited the house as the stairwell to the second level appeared
impassable.
The mother confirmed that her two children were still in the house, and at least one child
was in the upstairs bedroom. Acting upon this information, Corporal Prescott re-entered
the house to search for the children. Corporal Prescott located a five-year-old boy in a
downstairs bathroom, and safely evacuated the child. At this time, the Fire Department
anived and began to deploy equipment to fight the blaze. It was not until the Fire
Battalion Chief ordered officers out and away from the house, that Corporal Prescott
abandoned his attempt to rescue the second child. Although great efforts were made by
all, tragically, the second child could not be saved, and succumbed to the fire.
Nominated by: Danny R. Macagni
Title: Chief of Police
Date: 4/19/11