Life Saving Incident
08/16/2006
California
Los Angeles County
Los Angeles
On August 16, 2006, LAPD Sergeant Christopher Gomez was driving on the 110 Freeway when he saw a Nissan Sentra lose control and collide with the center divider. The vehicle then caught on fire. When Sergeant Gomez reached the car he found the driver’s door pinned against the center divider and impossible to open. Sergeant Gomez tried to open the passenger side door, but it was jammed. Without hesitating, Sergeant Gomez smashed the passenger window with his baton. That’s when the car’s dashboard caught on fire. Sergeant Gomez could hear loud popping noises, could see the flames and feel the heat of the fire. With the passenger compartment burning and with total disregard for his own safety, Sergeant Gomez used tremendous strength and pulled the driver out of the car through the flames and out the passenger door window. After pulling the sole occupant from the car, Sergeant Gomez dragged him to safety. The driver was taken to a nearby hospital where he was treated for a broken collar bone and smoke inhalation. He said if it were not for Sergeant Gomez’ quick action he would not have been able to get out of the car on his own. The driver said Sergeant Gomez saved his life, and did it without thinking of his own safety.
The history of law enforcement in the United States is a long and wonderful history of bravery. This website is dedicated to documenting the heroic deeds of law enforcement officers throughout the United States who have either given or risked their lives to save others. There are many stories of bravery and heroism for many who are considered first responders. However, it is those in law enforcement who are most likely to be the first to arrive upon a location requiring life saving acts engaging dangerous hostage takers, running into burning buildings/vehicles, providing first aid to seriously injured victims, saving near drowning victims and much more are what the women and men of law enforcement do routinely and at many times, great peril to their own safety.
It is our mission to document the history of lives saved by those dedicated women and men in law enforcement. To share with others the dramatic deeds of those individuals who are the first, first responders. It is so important for our citizens to understand that law "enforcement" is not always about enforcing the law but rather being there when our citizens need us.
It is to this end we are dedicated to promoting documentation regarding the history of law enforcement and the lives they have saved.
