Full Notification

In front of a large crowd at the Montclair City Council Meeting on Monday night, Mayor Pro Tem Bill Ruh presented Shelby De Graff with the Montclair Police Department "Certificate of Recognition" for her assistance in apprehending a fleeing felon. Montclair Police Chief Mike deMoet described Ms. De Graff's actions during the presentation to the City Council.

On the morning of Wednesday, February 19, 2014, a 23–year–old male stole a tractor–trailer rig in the city of Fontana. The truck was spotted by Fontana Police Department patrol officers as it merged west onto the I–10 Freeway. A pursuit ensued, and officers from the Department of California Highway Patrol were summoned to assist. The pursuit ended east of Central Avenue when the truck collided with several stopped vehicles. The suspect fled on foot into a residential area south of the freeway and west of Benson Avenue. After an unsuccessful attempted carjacking of a Montclair Public Works employee in a City vehicle, the suspect again fled on foot with officers in pursuit.

Shelby De Graff was inside her residence when she heard the Sheriff's helicopter overhead. She walked outside and, glancing down the street, witnessed the suspect running towards her residence with officers in pursuit. The suspect turned into her front yard and raced toward the front door of her residence. Ms. De Graff tackled the suspect and took him to the ground. She observed officers approaching while struggling to contain the suspect, and it was only at that point that she loosened her grasp. As the suspect began to get up, an officer Tasered the suspect and took him into custody. He was booked on several open charges including auto theft, attempted carjacking, felony evading, and hit and run.

Shelby later said she simply "relied on her instincts." However, action in the face of danger to prevent injury to others and to prevent the suspect's escape goes beyond basic instinct: It is heroism. Heroism is an intrinsic quality that few possess. A hero is defined as "a person noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose, especially one who has risked or sacrificed his or her life." Shelby displayed great courage in the face of unknown danger and for her actions is deserving of the Montclair Police Department Certificate of Recognition.

Fontana Police Lieutenant Bob Morris was also on hand to present Ms. De Graff with a "Certificate of Special Recognition and Appreciation" on behalf of the Fontana Police Department.