About 10 years ago, Yandell Bishop of Seal Beach was working as a Los Angeles city firefighter. Little did he expect he would also have to face gunfire on that day.
Bishop and other firefighters were called to a house fire in Northridge on Dec. 17, 2002, apparently set by the homeowner, a 72-year-old man named George Springer, who was angered by his pending divorce.
The man seemed intent on burning the homes, both of which he owned, to the ground. He was armed and lay in wait for any first responders.
When Bishop approached, he was shot, once in the stomach and a bullet grazed his leg. Two other firefighters were also hit with gunfire. The gunman later fatally shot himself in a backyard shed.
Police found a shotgun, handgun and rifle next to Springer. He had also set afire another, boarded-up home that he owned about a mile away from the incident.
Time heals many wounds. Bishop, now 52, recovered from his injuries and is working as a firefighter in San Pedro.
According to reports at the time, when Bishop was shot, the bullet entered to the right of Bishop’s navel and traversed his midsection, coming to a halt in his right hip.
Doctors said the bullet may have been slowed before entering his body by a metal O-ring on his jacket.
Bishop was eager to leave the hospital the day he was shot, but he was persuaded to spend the night.
The memories of that fateful day are fading. However, the sacrifice Bishop made is not being forgotten. He will be honored with a Purple Heart on Sunday in San Pedro.
It was actually Bishop’s father, Bill Bishop that helped inspire the drive for his to get the award.
“He was a World War II veteran and had received a Purple Heart himself,” said Bishop’s girlfriend of three years, Janet Peay. “He passed away two years ago. He wanted Yandell to get a Purple Heart so we looked into it.”
Bill Bishop had been with the 10th Mountain Division during World War II. His son became president of the descendants of the division’s veterans group.
It turned out that firefighters cold receive civil service Purple Hearts for first responders.
“They were happy to do it,” Peay said. “Me and my two girls are very proud of him.”
About 100 friends, family members and fellow firefighters will meet to honor him at 10 a.m. at Fire Station #40, 330 Ferry St. San Pedro.
He will receive a Purple Heart sponsored by the California State Firefighters’ Association.
It wasw Peay who discovered that the California State Firefighters’ Association started a Purple Heart program to award those individuals who suffer severe injury or are hospitalized while in the performance of emergency services.
Bishop has always been true to his fellow firefighters. While on his vacation, he was one of a group of firefighters who flew to New York to present the more than $2 million that the L.A. firefighters collected for families of New York firefighters killed in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
“I just feel lucky to be alive and I am proud and feel privileged to get this Purple Heart award,” Bishop said.
Fire Station #40 in San Pedro will be shut down for a few hours for the ceremonies. Friends may attend the event.
