Tempe — Frank Modica, a DIRECTV technician, was officially recognized and presented with an award during an early morning meeting on Sept. 2, 2015, by his employer for his brave actions less than six weeks prior in July 2015.

On July 29, 2015, Modica came to the aid of Arizona State Trooper Bryan Clark, who was struggling with a violent dangerous subject along I-10, near Casa Grande. Modica was on work duty at the time that he stopped to help trooper Clark.

During the struggle, the subject grabbed trooper Clark’s firearm, pulled it out of the holster and fired one round that did not strike anyone on scene. Modica continued to help the trooper until the man was taken into custody and played a major role in ensuring Clark’s safety and possibly saved his life.

On July 29, 2015, at around 9:16 a.m., a sergeant with the Arizona State Troopers observed a man attempting to push a white passenger car through the dirt median of Interstate 10 at milepost 191 (Pinal County). The sergeant was already initiating a traffic stop as part of a commercial-vehicle-inspection detail in the area and was unable to check on the welfare of the man.

The sergeant radioed for another trooper to check on the man and a 13-year agency veteran trooper responded to the call.

After arriving on scene, the responding trooper immediately observed suspicious behavior from the man. Soon after, the man then physically attacked the trooper. A citizen observed the attack and stopped to assist the trooper.

During this time the man grabbed the trooper’s firearm, pulled it out of the holster and fired one round that did not strike anyone on scene. Two other troopers arrived and deployed a TASER in order to subdue the combative man. The citizen continued to help the trooper until the man was taken into custody.

The preliminary investigation discovered that the passenger car was reported stolen.

The trooper sustained an injury to his hand and was taken to Banner Casa Grande Medical Center and was released a short while later.

The combative man was identified as 26-year-old Colin Corkhill. He sustained injuries to his face. Corkhill was also transported to Banner Casa Grande Medical Center and released a short while later.

Corkhill was booked into the county jail located in Florence, Arizona, for two counts of aggravated assault and theft of means of transportation.   back...