Life Saving Incident
June 20, 1966
California
San Diego County
San Diego
June 20, 1966
(San Diego Union News Article)
A policeman yesterday stopped a motorist for questioning then had to hurl him down an embankment to save his life. The officer, Richard Prokop stopped a car on Interstate 5 between Crosby and 28th Sts. to determine if the driver was sober. The driver from Imperial Beach, was being questioned by Prokop to the side of the police car which was parked behind the suspect's car. "Suddenly I heard this car roaring down the freeway" Prokop Said. "I saw it fishtail out of control and I grabbed him and threw him over the bank. Then I jumped after him." The other car, carrying three sailors from the aircraft carrier Ticonderoga, crashed into the police vehicle which then struck the suspect's car and sent it hurtling 40 feet down the embankment. The sailors suffered cuts and bruises, The suspect driver suffered a sprained ankle. "
"That policeman saved my life" said the suspect
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.
