Air Force recruit apprehends murder suspect Published Jan. 30, 2009 By Staff Sgt. Justin Gress 364th Recruiting Squadron SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- A member of the Air Force Delayed Entry Program with the help of his grandfather subdued a murder suspect earlier this month. Patrick Spangler, who entered the DEP in December and leaves for Basic Military Training in February, and 64-year-old Universal Anglican Minister John Surinchak went to the Richmond District here to visit an office supply store Jan. 10. Mr. Surinchak entered OfficeMax while his grandson stayed inside their car in the parking garage. As Mr. Surinchak was departing the store, he said he heard a man shout, "Don't go up that elevator, there's a body upstairs!" "I stepped out of the elevator, and there's a guy laying on the floor with a big pool of blood," he said. The man lying on the ground was Ryosuke Yoshioka, a 59-year-old owner of a sushi restaurant. Mr. Surinchak called for his grandson as he spotted 45-year-old Peter Fong covered in blood and approaching. The suspect struck Mr. Surinchak in the face with his forearm but was pushed away as Mr. Spangler approached to help. The suspect then appeared to reach in his pocket for a gun, but pulled his hand out mimicking the shape of a gun. The suspect then charged toward the future Air Force mechanic and tried to kick him, but Mr. Spangler was able to deflect the kick and wrestled the suspect down to the ground where he and his grandfather held him until police arrived minutes later. The police heralded the Air Force recruit and his grandfather as heroes. "Patrick exemplifies one of the most important Air Force core values, 'Service Before Self,' by not hesitating and doing what was needed to be done with little regard for his own wellbeing," said Lt. Col. Ruben Rios, the 364th Recruiting Squadron commander, who presented Mr. Spangler with a squadron coin for his courageous act. "I am proud to have him as a member of our Air Force family."