On behalf of Pacific Knight Security, Inc., we would like to commend Security Officer Edmund Gouveia for his heroic deed during the early morning hours of March 25, 2001. Without delay and not a moment's hesitation, he responded to a fire alarm activation on the seventh floor of the Marc Suites. He proceeded to investigate and assess the situation. When he located the affected area, he felt for heat and noticed smoke being emitted from room 739. He notified the front desk of the condition; he then requested permission to gain access to the room.

When he entered he observed a male lying on the floor next to the stove. The male appeared conscious but in an intoxicated state as indicative by a bottle of "Jim Beam" liquor in his possession. Security Officer Gouveia also noticed that the stove was on "high" and was burning and he immediately turned it off. He extinguished the fire by smothering it with a wet towel. Attending to the individual who was not in any condition to move on his own, he pulled him out of the room and out into the hallway to safety. Because of his quick thinking and prompt response, he prevented what could have been an extensive structural damage and most remarkably, he saved a human life. Once again, we would like to recognize him for his commendable actions and nominate him for this award.