Life Saving Incident
February 8, 2023
Oregon
Columbia County
St. Helens
The St. Helens Police Department presented Officer Adam Hartless its Life Saving Award for his successful efforts in saving an individual’s life while on duty.The award is one of the highest honors that a St. Helens officer can earn.
The incident unfolded at approximately 5 a.m. Monday, February 8, 2021, as St. Helens officers responded to a call for medical assistance. Hartless was first to arrive on scene prior to emergency medical personnel. He found a 46-year-old male at the residence who was not breathing and had no detectable pulse. Hartless immediately began administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) until an automated external defibrillator (AED) was brought to the residence and used. Hartless continued to perform CPR for approximately six minutes until Columbia River Fire & Rescue (CRFR) arrived and took over medical response.
The male became conscious shortly after and was transported to a Portland-area hospital where he survived. CRFR credited Hartless with directly saving the individual’s life.
"Had it not been for Hartless’ quick response and immediate performance of CPR, the individual would likely not have survived," according to a release from the St. Helens Police Department.
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.
