December 22, 2020 10:45 a.m.

A Canyonville man was given a Medal of Valor by Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin on Monday, for actions he took earlier this year at the scene of a vehicle crash.

Sergeant Brad O’Dell said on February 19th at approximately 7:00 p.m. Scott Pettibone was traveling in the 2,500 block of Canyonville Riddle Road when he saw the glow of a small fire off the side of the road. O’Dell said as the man got closer, he realized the fire was the result of a vehicle which had caught fire after crashing head-on into a tree.

O’Dell said Pettibone stopped his vehicle to investigate and observed the shadow of a person inside the crashed car. The driver was trapped in the vehicle and was pounding on the window screaming for help as the cab filled up with smoke. Despite the engine compartment and a portion of the cab being on fire, Pettibone was able to get the driver’s side door open, remove the victim and carry him to safety on the other side of the road. O’Dell said Pettibone then returned to the car to check for additional victims before calling 911 at which time the vehicle became engulfed in flames.

During a small COVID compliant ceremony, Hanlin said ‘Scott Pettibone demonstrated, in great degree, the qualities of selflessness and personal courage on that day”. Hanlin said there is no doubt that the victim would have perished in the fire “…if it weren’t for the decisive actions of Mr. Pettibone”.

Pettibone, age 47, received a medal and a pin for his actions. The Sheriff’s Medal of Valor is the most distinguished award presented to a civilian.

O’Dell said Commissioners Tim Freeman, Chris Boice and Tom Kress, and District Attorney Rick Wesenberg attended the ceremony.