Life Saving Incident
July 2012
Illinois
Cook County
Chicago
Chicago Police Officer David R. Ramos received a Life Saving Award at the Superintendents Annual Award Ceremony. A veteran Chicago Police officer, Ramos received a Life Saving Award for rescuing over 60 kayakers from the Chicago River. In the summer of 2012, any day is a great day for kayaking in the Chicago River until the weather takes a turn and storms come through making the Chicago River difficult to paddle through. Choppy waters soon developed as the storms turned the calm waters into mountains for the kayakers. Ramos was at the right place at the right time. Because a 9-1-1 call came out that boaters had capsized in the north branch of the Chicago River. Ramos was first to arrive on the scene, he observed kayakers calling for help, that’s when Ramos observed a father and his two children capsized into the waters. The boat turned over and the children were under it, that’s when I immediately jumped into action. “Every time I go over the Chicago River, I will forever remember this day,” said Ramos. The Chicago Fire Department and the Chicago Police Marine Unit were already on their way when they observed Ramos pulling people out of the water.
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.
