Sailors Receive San Diego County Sheriff's Highest Award

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Emiline L. M. Senn, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Two Sailors from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 3 received Meritorious Service Awards from the San Diego County Sheriff's Department, at the Bob Hope Theater on Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Nov. 13.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician 1st Class Jeremy D. Owen and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician 2nd Class Alfred R. Quinlan were awarded the San Diego County Sheriff's Department highest award for saving a life while endangering their own safety in aiding deputy Michael Alcarion, a motorcyclist who was severely injured in a motor vehicle collision.

"Without their selfless and quick thinking actions, Deputy Alcarion might have succumbed to his injuries," said Don Fowler, police Cmdr. of the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. "It is with sincere gratitude that we recognize Jeremy Owen and Alfred Quinlan with the Sheriff's Meritorious Service Award."

Quinlan was riding his motorcycle to work on Oct. 7, when traffic was slowing down due to an accident in the left lanes of the freeway. When he arrived closer to the scene, he noticed that a motorcycle rider was injured on the freeway with no one assisting him.

"My first thoughts were, 'why isn't anybody helping this guy?'" said Quinlan. "People had already stopped, just watching him bleed on the highway."

Quinlan tried to assess the victim by talking to him and asking questions to keep him conscious. Owen arrived at the scene to offer his help.

"I was riding down highway 94 when I noticed Quinlan and pulled over," said Owen. "I saw that he was okay and helping someone who was hurt."

While the Sailors were stabilizing and monitoring the victim, Quinlan discovered that he was a San Diego County Sheriff's Deputy. The emergency medical technicians arrived on the scene and transported the deputy to a nearby hospital to further treat his injuries.

"I'm just glad I was there and that Jeremy showed up to help too," said Quinlan. "It was good that the deputy could get help before the ambulance got there."