Los Angeles - On Tuesday, June 19, 2001 at approximately 4:20 p.m., Newton Area officers Monica Lobato and Raquel Cruz were enroute to the Los Angeles Police Academy when a citizen flagged them down. The officers were informed that a female, later identified as Maria Flores, was straddling the fence on the Broadway overpass of the Hollywood Freeway.

Officers Lobato and Cruz responded and observed Flores straddling the fence on the Broadway overpass with heavy traffic on the Hollywood Freeway, below. Flores was apparently preparing to jump to her death. Without giving second thoughts for their own safety, Officers Lobato and Cruz tactically positioned themselves. They then used a distraction ruse to buy them time, allowing them to pull Flores to safety. Sergeant Sal Munoz of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department observed Lobato and Cruz from the Hollywood Freeway and went to their assistance.

Flores was not injured, although she was despondent over a recent relationship break-up. The Department will make Officers Lobato and Cruz available to the media for interviews.

For further information, please contact Media Relations Section at 213-485-3586. This press release was prepared by Public Information Officer Jason Lee.