Life Saving Incident

December 29, 2011

Puerto Rico

San Juan

Capt. Drew W. Pearson, commander of Coast Guard Sector San Juan, on behalf of the Commandant of the Coast Guard, Admiral Robert J. Papp, presented the Gold Lifesaving Medal (posthumously) to family members of FBI Special Agent Daniel Lee Knapp during a ceremony at Sector San Juan, Puerto Rico Friday. “Today we celebrate the selfless actions of a brave and true hero,” said Capt. Drew W. Pearson, commander of Sector San Juan. “Special Agent Daniel Knapp displayed the highest traditions of humanitarian service by willingly facing the overpowering force of nature and giving his life to save another from the perils of the sea.” Capt. Drew W. Pearson, commander of Sector San Juan, presented the Gold Life Saving Medal (posthumously) to the mother, Renae Richie Knapp, and brother, Michael Jay Knapp, of FBI Special Agent Daniel Lee Knapp, during a ceremony at Coast Guard Sector San Juan March 21, 2014. Special Agent Knapp lost his life while displaying extreme heroic daring the afternoon of Dec. 29, 2011, during the rescue of a drowning 18-year-old boy at Playa Escondida (Hidden Beach) in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. Members of the Coast Guard, the FBI San Juan Field Office and multiple federal and Puerto Rico law enforcement agencies were also present during the recognition. (U.S. Coast Guard photo) Capt. Drew W. Pearson, commander of Sector San Juan, presented the Gold Life Saving Medal (posthumously) to the mother, Renae Richie Knapp, and brother, Michael Jay Knapp, of FBI Special Agent Daniel Lee Knapp, during a ceremony at Coast Guard Sector San Juan March 21, 2014. (U.S. Coast Guard photo) Renae Richie Knapp and Michael Jay Knapp, mother and brother of FBI Special Agent Daniel Knapp, were presented with the Gold Life Saving Medal in representation of Special Agent Knapp and the entire Knapp family. Upon receiving the Gold Life Saving Medal on behalf of her son, Richie Knapp took the opportunity to express her gratitude to the Coast Guard for honoring her son. She explained that his selfless actions were a part of who he was and how he lived his live daily in the service of others without expecting any recognition in return. Richie Knapp also thanked the men and women of the Coast Guard and FBI for their service to the nation.

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.