Richard Varshock

GOVERNOR PARDONS FIREFIGHTER WHO HELPED SAVE TEEN IN HARRIS FIRE

 

By Miriam Raftery

January 1, 2014 (San Diego's East County) -- Governor Jerry Brown granted a Christmas Eve pardon to a firefighter who saved a teenager’s life during the Harris Fire in Potrero after suffering serious burns herself.

Brooke Linman had been convicted of firearms, drug and theft charges almost 20 years ago, but straightened her life out and began working as a firefighter in 2001. In 2007, her Cal-Fire crew was sent to help save homes in Potrero, where they helped evacuate Richard Varshock and his father, Thomas Varshock, who had been trying to defend their home against the firestorm. But  the fire engine was overcome and caught fire, forcing them all  to race on foot through a wall of flames.


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