Paso Robles family seeking stolen medal of honor

Posted: 9:30 am, June 14, 2015 by Reporter Heather Young

Cooper Wommack watches as the motorcade approaches at his uncle, Chris Cortijo’s service. Photo courtesy of Kyle Beal Wommack

The Paso Robles Police Department is searching for a medal of honor given to the family of Los Angeles Police Department Motorcycle Officer Chris Cortijo, who died last year in the line of duty. Cortijo’s nephews, Chase, 6, and Copper Wommack, 8, of Paso Robles, received the medal of honor this week while on a family camping trip.

“It was given to us while we were camping, then I put it in the glove box so it wouldn’t be ruined and that is where is was stolen from,” the boys’ mother, Kyle Beal Wommack, said.

The medal was stolen on the evening of Thursday, June 11, from the family’s property on 15th Street in Paso Robles.

Paso Robles police have notified pawn shops and now Wommack is asking the community to help.

“I am calling on anyone who can get the word to the right peeps,” Wommack said. “Let’s rally the community and get this turned in so my boys can have this incredible medal back.”

Cortijo died on April 9, 2014, four days after he sustained injuries when his police motorcycle was struck from behind by an impaired driver. He was stopped at a red light when he was hit at full speed and then trapped between the drunk driver’s vehicle and the vehicle in front of him. Cortijo was a United States Marine Corps veteran and had served L.A. Police Department for 26 years.

Call the Paso Robles Police Department at (805) 237-6464 with any information on the stolen medal.