Mendocino County Sheriff Tom Allman thanks the crowd after receiving the American Red Cross' Law Enforcement Award during the Real Heroes 7th annual awards breakfast at the Double Tree Hotel in Rohnert Park, Wednesday April 21, 2010. (Kent Porter / Press Democrat) 2010

Sheriff Tom Allman pulled woman from burning car near Ukiah

GLENDA ANDERSON
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

Mendocino County Sheriff Tom Allman was honored Tuesday for his heroic efforts to save a woman in a burning vehicle.

"Thank you for being who you are," Mendocino County Supervisor Carre Brown said as she presented Allman with a proclamation in his honor.

Allman also has received congressional recognition and next week will be awarded the governor's Public Safety Medal of Valor in connection with the Aug. 11, 2009, incident.

Allman was driving when he spotted the burning vehicle on the shoulder of Highway 101 a few miles north of Ukiah.

He reached in through the flames and pulled Calpella Elementary School teacher Jennifer Aikman, a mother of two, from the burning car.

She did not survive.

Allman suffered second-degree burns on his hands but has downplayed the injuries and his effort, saying he was just doing his job.

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