Life Saving Incident
August 29, 1967
California
San Diego County
San Diego
On August 29, 1967 Lt. Don Davis ( Later Deputy Chief) was off duty and enjoying a day at Mission Bay, San Diego when he was alerted by screams for help from a woman nearby. (From news account) Witnesses said the officer rushed to the aide of the 16 year old who had broken his neck in a water accident and was found floating unconscious in the bay. David heard the woman cry out: "Does anybody here know anything about first aid?" Davis ran to the youth's almost lifeless body and immediately began to administer mouth to mouth resuscitation. He was blue and wasn't breathing when I reached him, Davis said. Two small boys had pulled the youth from the water. Witnesses said other people nearby had ignored him floating in the water. Lifeguards said the youth had struck his head while diving in shallow water. Davis said the boy began to breath after a few minutes of "what seemed like and eternity."
Davis was lauded for reviving the youth and saving his 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.
