On Sunday, June 22, 1991, shortly after 8:30 a.m., a South Ardmore Avenue resident armed himself with a .357 magnum revolver, barricaded himself inside his home then threatened to kill members of his family. Fortunately, they were able to escape from the residence and call police. When Wilshire Area officers arrived at the residence of the distraught man, he answered their request to surrender by firing several gunshots. Additional police units were requested in order to establish a safety perimeter and then to evacuate citizens from the suspect’s line of fire. Officer Michel Skajem was in one of the first units to arrive. He was given the responsibility of evacuating the house directly to the east of the barricaded home. The woman who lived there told him that her son, Bobby, was in the backyard. Officer Skajem ran to the rear yard, where he recognized Bobby was directly in the line of fire because the suspect’s kitchen windows overlooked the yard. Officer Skajem also observed that despite Bobby being a 37 year-old adult, he was mentally impaired. Officer Skajem attempted to coax Bobby away from the danger. Confused, Bobby refused to move and began to cry for his mother. Officer Skajem, realizing that he had to take action quickly, left his position of cover and moved to Bobby’s side leaving both himself and Bobby exposed. As the Officer Skajem grabbed Bobby to lead him toward a position of safety - the suspect caught sight of the pair began firing at them. One of the suspects shots struck the porch just three feet from the Officer Skajem. Despite being shot at, Officer Skajem was able to move Bobby to a location out of danger. Officer Skajem then returned to the backyard to help contain the suspect if he attempted to leave his house from the rear. The gunman fired four more rounds into the backyard area, then ran to the front and fired four more rounds toward the street. SWAT personnel quickly ended the ordeal by firing tear gas into the house – after which the suspect was taken into custody without further incident. Officer Skajem had placed himself in great peril with disregard for his personal safety when he rescued Bobby from the direct line of sight of the armed suspect. Officer Michel Skajem’s bravery, heroism, and unselfish devotion to duty exemplifies the highest traditions of the Los Angeles Police Department. He was awarded the Los Angeles Police Department’s highest honor, the Medal of Valor.