Life Saving Incident
January 4, 1988
California
San Diego County
San Diego
(From Life Saving Award)
On January 4, 1988 you responded to the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge to supervise negotiations with a despondent man who was threatening to jump from the bridge. Patrol officers had contacted the suicidal subject a short time earlier, after answering a radio call of a boyfriend/girlfriend disturbance. Subsequently the subject was pursued in his vehicle through the city to the bay bridge, where he stopped mid span and climbed over the cement railing. he then stood on a narrow steel beam outside the railing and was threatening to jump from the bridge. After two and one half hours you were able to approach the subject and were able to observe that he was about to jump. Disregarding your personal safety you grabbed the subject's arm and barred it against against the bridge railing as he kicked free in an unsuccessful attempt to jump from the bridge. Your quick action in the face of extreme danger saved the life of a fellow human being. You are commended for your courage and your commitment to the citizens of our city.
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.
