TOP FIVE CHP STORIES OF THE WEEK

A roundup of notable incidents involving the California Highway Patrol
(CHP) this past week, including a powerful winter storm creating treacherous
conditions for motorists on I-80, a surge in applications to join the CHP, the
arrest of two suspects in connection with a Southern California freeway
shooting, Governor Gavin Newsom honoring three CHP officers for their
bravery, and proof that you are never too young to learn the importance of
9-1-1.

1. BRUTAL WINTER WEATHER CLOSES I-80
   A brutal winter storm created hazardous conditions along Interstate 80
   from Colfax to the Nevada state line over the weekend. On Friday night,
   the CHP’s Truckee Area reported, “a mass amount of vehicles were
   stuck over Donner Summit and it took several hours for emergency
   personnel and tow trucks to reach the motorists due to blizzard
   conditions.” All motorists involved were transported to a safe location.
   The CHP continued to use social media to offer safety reminders and a
   firsthand glimpse at the treacherous conditions throughout the weekend.
2. CALIFORNIA SEES SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN APPLICATIONS TO
   JOIN CHP
   The CHP is seeing a significant increase in the number of people
   applying to join one of the nation’s largest law enforcement agencies.
   Governor Newsom highlighted new data from the CHP in a press release
   Feb. 26. The total number of applications received by the CHP in
   January 2024 was the highest number of monthly applications in seven
   years, a 94% increase in the total number of applications compared to
   January 2022. If you are ready to answer the call to service, apply today
   to join the CHP.
3. CHP ARRESTS LOS ANGELES COUPLE SUSPECTED OF
   ATTEMPTED MURDER
   Two suspects wanted in connection with a December 2023 freeway
   shooting on Interstate 10 in Los Angeles County have been
   apprehended. In collaboration with multiple allied agencies, the suspects
   were arrested in Rosarito, Baja California, Mexico, on Feb. 21. The two
   U.S. citizens from Los Angeles were extradited back to the U.S., where
   they were taken into custody by awaiting CHP personnel and booked into
   the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s East LA station. Lorraine Covarrubias,
   23, was charged with attempted murdered and Robert Sarabia, 25, was
   charged with being an accessory after the fact.
4. THREE CHP OFFICERS RECEIVE THE GOVERNOR’S PUBLIC
   SAFETY OFFICER MEDAL OF VALOR
   CHP Officers Aaron Adair, Jeremy Welch, and Troy Wiltshire received
   the Governor’s Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor on Feb. 27. In a
   small ceremony held at the Governor’s Mansion in Sacramento,
   Governor Newsom, joined by California Attorney General Rob Bonta and
   CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee, presented the three officers with the
   highest state award for valor given to a public safety officer.
   Commissioner Duryee recognized the officers for their heroic actions in
   the line of duty, expressing his gratitude to them for upholding their oath
   in the face of imminent danger. A recording of the ceremony can be
   viewed here.
5. CHP “DIALS” UP AN IMPORTANT SAFETY LESSON FOR A GROUP
   OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS
   Students at Cottage Hill Elementary School in Grass Valley recently had
   a surprise visit from CHP officers, who were happy to provide a safety
   lesson about the importance of 9-1-1. Officers taught the kids how to
   practice memorizing their address and reminded them to put that
   information in their phones to ensure they are safe at home and at
   school. No lesson is complete without a show-and-tell segment. Officers
   provided the students with a look at all the important equipment they
   have access to inside of a patrol car, including the radio and the
   computer system, to help keep the community safe.
   The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service and
   Security