August 12, 2005

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Palo Alto Online

From hero to suspect

by Bill D'Agostino and Alexandria Rocha

He was the guy you relied on in an emergency.

In 1994, Tony Graham threw himself on a fellow Gunn High School student who was on fire after a senior prank went horribly awry, causing a chemical explosion. Graham also grabbed a fire extinguisher to put out the inferno, which injured 18 students, and was himself treated for smoke and burn injuries.

During the Columbine massacre in 1999, when Graham was in college in Colorado, he was prepping with the SWAT team to enter the high school as the two student shooters killed themselves.

Off-and-on since graduating college, Graham has been the volunteer leader of a Boy Scout's program that has trained hundreds of Bay Area youth to respond to emergencies, the Palo Alto Fire Explorers. It was a program he helped form.

But last Friday, Palo Alto police officers arrested Graham, a 28-year-old emergency medical technician, in his Los Altos Hills home, alleging he had sex with three girls, aged 14 to 17. He was charged with four felony counts, including one involving child pornography. He posted bail on Monday.

All three of the girls were participants in the Explorer program, which trains students aged 14 to 21 from San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, Palo Alto Police Chief Lynne Johnson said.

The investigation began early last week when one of the victims came forward, saying she didn't want anyone else to go through what she had, Johnson said.

Officers weren't sure if there were other girls involved.

"That's why the investigation is still ongoing," Johnson said.

Police officials did not reveal much information about the alleged victims to protect their identities. Investigators were still piecing together the timeline of Graham's encounters with the girls this week, Detective Natasha Powers said.

"I'm just shocked," said 23-years-old Eric Chen, a friend and alumnus of the Explorers program. "He's a great guy. He helps the community and everything."

Graham shared his Columbine experiences at the Explorers' annual December retreat in the Santa Cruz Mountains, an intense weeklong sleepover that began the year's training. Chen, 24, called the story a "heart ripper."

"He was traumatized by it, but through some help he got over it," Chen said. "This guy, he's been through a lot -- I want to see him get through this too. ... No matter what happens, I'm there to help support him."

Asked if he thought Graham was guilty, Chen said his friend is extremely gregarious. Maybe some of the girls, Chen offered, took his attention "too literally."

The last time Graham, who could not be reached for comment, made headlines was in 1994, when his heroics concerning the senior prank made news across the region. A story in the San Jose Mercury News called him and three other friends who also provided aid "heroes." The American Red Cross presented them with awards.

That experience prompted the formation of a school club for emergency responders, which eventually became the Explorers.

A Palo Alto Weekly profile of Graham in 1995 said he was known around the community as "Dr. G" and that he "tears through life at a dizzying pace," having done paramedical work with the Palo Alto Police Department.

"The heady mix of grit and responsibility has forced Graham to grow up quickly," the Weekly's Diane Sussman wrote. "Perhaps, he admits, a little too quickly. 'When you do this kind of work you can't be a kid anymore. But sometimes you see things you wish you hadn't seen. Sometimes you wish you could have spent more time being a reckless teenager.'"

The Palo Alto chapter of the Explorers has been one of the more successful programs in California. There are currently 70 members. Its trainees can be seen at the Los Altos Art and Wine festival and other community events, ready to perform CPR or administer first aid.

Palo Alto High School graduate Toni Dano, 18, was in the program from 2002 to 2004. She said it required long hours of involvement, and said Graham was very outgoing and friendly.

"He had his whole spirit in the program," Dano said. "He was really into it and into what it was doing for the community and for the fire department."

The Pacific Skyline Council, Boy Scouts of America planned to alert all families with youth in the program, according to CEO John Richers, who also planned to review the incident and figure out if any policies needed to be changed. He noted that the Boy Scouts already have an aggressive youth-protection training program.

"Unfortunately, there are some situations that still get by us," Richers said.

Although the City of Palo Alto did not give funds to the program, it lent supplies and provided space for classes. The Fire Department also offered sponsorship and provided volunteer opportunities.

The news of the arrest is forcing city administrators to reconsider their partnerships with programs with such a broad reach around the Bay Area.

"We really don't have control," Assistant City Manager Emily Harrison said.

The police is asking anyone with knowledge to contact Detective Natasha Powers at (650) 329-2558 or the department's tip line at (650) 329-2190.

Staff Writer Bill D'Agostino can be e-mailed at bdagostino@paweekly.com.

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