Life Saving Incident
August 24, 1974
California
San Diego County
San Diego
On August 24, 1974 at 1735 hours, Officer Turkington received a radio call regarding a possible kidnapping at 532 W. Grape St, San Diego, a two story apartment building.
Officers learned a suspect had engaged in a bitter quarrel with a young mother who lived in the apartment house . He had taken the mother's 16 month old infant and barricaded himself in his apartment. Another officer assisted Turkington in smashing through the suspect's door when the suspect refused to open it. The child was lying on the bottom of an overflowing bathtub, mouth and eyes open, arms outstretched and apparently drowned. Officer Turkington grabbed the child from the tub , held him by his heels and slapped him on the back to dislodge water from the child's respiratory system. The infant showed no signs of life during resuscitation en-route to a hospital. With continuing resuscitation the child began to breath independently at the moment the ambulance reached the emergency receiving entrance to the hospital. Officer Turkington was commended for his teamwork, and aggressive actions that saved the life of William D. Young
The suspect Earl Bouyer was arrested for kidnapping and attempted murder.
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.
