Cops Save Lives | Cops Save Lives | Cop Saves Life

Life Saving Incident

August 30, 2019
Indiana
Monroe County
Bloomington

While having lunch with a friend on the University of Indiana campus on August 30, 2019, Chief Doug Johnson observed a nearby stranger choking on a piece of food. Chief Johnson rushed toward the chocking victim and preformed the Heimlich maneuver to dislodge the food that had been blocking the airway. Ironically, it was the second time that month Chief Johnson had to perform live saving measures. On August 21, 2019, Chief Johnson was in South Korea while on military deployment as an Army Reserve soldier when he performed the same maneuver on a different choking victim. Chief Johnson later said, "When you see someone truly choking, it's an intense experience. The whole episode lasts from 10 to 15 seconds. If you're trained and can recognize what's happening, you know what you need to do to provide effective care. You have the opportunity to save a life. And you never know when the circumstances will present themselves." When asked what it meant to him to receive a Life Saving Award, Chief Johnson didn't skip a beat. "That's easy," he replied. "It's a reflection of the fact that there are two people here who wouldn't be otherwise. When I see the award Dec. 13, that's what it will represent. I'm just thankful I was there to do that." "Each of these events lasted no longer than 15 seconds," he added. "The key to being able to provide effective care is to be CPR-trained. If you're trained and can recognize what is happening, you'll be in a position to potentially save someone's life."

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.