On September 5, 1994 then Police Officer ( now Captain) Alberto Leos was driving his marked San Diego Police car westbound on highway 54 when he saw a Volkswagen car engulfed in flames. Officer Leos approached the vehicle. The heat was so intense that cans of paint inside the vehicle were exploding. The driver who had been thrown into the back seat during the initial collision was screaming that he was burning. In spite of the intense heat and explosions Officer Leos began breaking the car windows, A huge cloud of toxic black smoke enveloped the officer and the victim. Officer Leos had difficulty breathing and seeing the victim. Leos began spraying the interior of the vehicle with his fire extinguisher but was still unable to see due to the heavy smoke. Officer Leos could feel that the front seat of the vehicle was blocking the victims exit. The victim reached out and managed to touch officer Leos. Officer Leos grabbed the victims wrist, pulled him out, and dragged him away from the burning vehicle. A passing citizen helped Officer Leos carry the victim away from the burning car. Paramedics arrived and transported the victim to the UCSD medical center burn unit. The victim suffered major burns to over 60% of his body. Officer Leos suffered first degree burns on his face and hands, as well as smoke inhalation. Officer Leos' quick actions in the face of extreme personal danger saved the life of a fellow human being. He was commended for his courage and commitment which prevented the death of a citizen. ( In 1984 Captain Leos was a teenager working at the McDonald's in San Ysidro and was shot several times by an individual during the "McDonald's Massacre" in San Diego. He survived multiple gunshot wounds. He later joined the San Diego Police Dept. Had he not survived this present victim may have lost his life.)