Officer Clay Christensen

On June 24, 1996, Boise Police Officers Clay Christensen and Scott Mulcahy responded to a call regarding a male subject on a bike who was selling marijuana. Unbeknownst to them, the subject was a convicted felon and a violent, documented gang member from Nevada who had escaped from a prison work camp. As the officers approached the subject, he attempted to flee on his bike. Officer Mulcahy pushed the suspect to the ground at which time the suspect reached for a gun at his side. An intense fight for the gun ensued as Officers Christensen and Mulcahy fought for their lives. A gun battle followed. Surviving both fights, the suspect ran, stopping only to fire more shots at the officers. Officer Mulcahy gave chase on foot. The suspect carjacked a vehicle at gunpoint and drove off. Officer Christensen grabbed his AR-15 and drove after the suspect, stopping long enough for Officer Mulcahy to jump in their patrol car. Together they continued their pursuit and soon found the stolen vehicle crashed into a light post several blocks away. They saw the suspect chasing a security guard and shooting at him. The suspect again turned his gun on the officers and fired. Officer Christensen returned fire, hitting the suspect twice. Officers Christensen and Mulcahy again advanced on foot in pursuit of the suspect. Finally spotting him in a parking lot, they commanded him to drop his gun. After reloading, the suspect turned towards the officers at which time Officer Christensen fired two shots, ending the threat to the public and themselves. With complete disregard for his own safety and profound concern for the lives of the citizens and Officer Mulcahy, Officer Christensen refused to retreat under continued fire, instead choosing to relentlessly pursue the dangerous suspect. Officer Christensen's extraordinary heroism and resolute courage, fortitude and endurance at grave danger to his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in the highest traditions of the Boise Police Department and of Idaho law enforcement officers and reflect great credit upon himself, the Boise Police Department and Idaho law enforcement officers.