Iranian of the Day

Fardad Jamali, CEO of Enviro Safetech was recently selected to be among the local citizens to receive the San Jose Police Department's Simpson-Silva Citizen's Award. This award is given out annually to those officers investigators, and citizens who have shown remarkable acts of bravery, courage, heroism, and decisive actions.

On January 16, 2009 Fardad was teaching an outdoor safety class near the Capitol Expressway and McLaughlin Ave., when he heard gunshots and witnessed a suspect that had been stopped by a police officer, attack the office and gain control of the officer's handgun, and began to chase and shoot at the officer. Fardad instructed his students to take cover, and continued to watch the scene unfold around him. When the suspect appeared to be gaining on the officer, Fardad yelled and waved at him to attempt to slow him down. The suspect drawn by Fardad's yelling and calling to him, paused long enough for the officer to get away. When SWAT and other Police units arrived, Fardad was able to successfully guide them to the gas station, where the suspect was eventually found.

Fardad's act of heroism saved the life of the officer who would have certainly been shot had the suspect reached him, as he was about to, save for Fardad's timely disruption.

This year's award was given on April 30th, 2009 at 6 pm at the San Jose Athletic Club, Corinthian Ballroom, 196 North Third Street, San Jose, CA 95112