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Life Saving Incident

March 20, 2023
Texas
Burleson County
Somerville

A Burleson County Deputy Sheriff and a citizen were presented Lifesaving Awards for their roles in a rescue from Lake Somerville. The two men who were involved in the incident were ultimately released from medical care without injuries after falling out of a boat and being unable to swim. According to authorities, the temperature of the water at the time of the incident was approximately 57 degrees. The two men were clinging onto an overturned kayak about 35 yards from shore. One man was wearing a life jacket and the other was not. Upon being thrown a tow rope one of the men was successfully towed to shore. The other man was struggling in the life jacket which was shifting up towards his head. Both Benn and Bengs had entered the lake and conducted the water rescue. The second man was also rescued after Bengs and Benn were able to get him towed to shore. According to a release from the Burleson County Sheriff's Office, "the Lifesaving Award is awarded to individuals who perform a lifesaving act under extreme circumstances." The actions include those that take "direct, immediate, and positive action to preserve the life of another human who is in danger of dying." "As part of our community service approach, we often rely upon our citizens to be our eyes and ears in our communities. Mr. Nathan Benn was also recognized for his extraordinary performance in his action to save the life of a person and assist Deputy Bengs, a Burleson County Deputy," said Sheriff Gene Hermes in a press release related to the awards.

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.