On July 20, 2014, at approximately 9:35 a.m., California Highway Patrol Officer Michael Burton was off duty and traveling with his family when he encountered a traffic collision on 20th Street West, south of Colleen Drive, in the unincorporated City of Rosamond in Kern County, California. The collision involved a Chevrolet S-10 pickup that traveled off the roadway and overturned onto its roof. As a result of the collision the driver was trapped inside the vehicle and the vehicle began to smolder and ignite. When Officer Burton pulled over to assist, he observed the male driver trapped inside the cab of the pickup and the engine compartment smoldering and beginning to ignite. Initially, Officer Burton was unable to get to the driver because the roof of the pickup was crushed and the doors would not open. Believing the only way to gain access to the driver was to relieve pressure from the roof, Officer Burton enlisted the help of two citizens who had stopped to assist. Officer Burton and the two citizens rolled the truck upright and back onto its wheels. Officer Burton bore the brunt of the physical exertion. For several minutes, as the fire increased and smoke filled the cab of the pickup, Officer Burton attempted to access the truck. The smoke eventually became so thick he could no longer see inside. When Kern County Sheriff’s Deputy J. Barnard arrived on scene to assist; he too used a portable fire extinguisher to try to put out the flames in the engine compartment, but was also unsuccessful. Suddenly, the driver of the truck reached through the shattered rear window and shouted for help. Officer Burton climbed into the bed of the pickup and grabbed the driver. He began pulling on his arm, while the flames continued to grow, eventually freeing Mr. Anaya’s other arm, head, and shoulders. He was then able to pull the rest of his body through the window and into the bed of the pickup. With the assistance of Deputy Barnard, Officer Burton carried Mr. the driver from the bed of the pickup and to safety, just seconds before the pickup became fully engulfed in flames. The heat and smoke from the flames were intense as the fire continued to consume the pickup truck while the driver was trapped inside. His life was ultimately saved due to the heroic actions of Officer Burton.