On October 19, 2018, Deputy Allison Knowlton was assigned to the Transportation Division and was in the process of loading a Transportation Bus with inmates from the High Desert Detention Center. All inmates were restrained with waist chains. While the inmates were on the bus, an inmate was able to slip his waist chain off his body. He approached another inmate on the bus (who he had previously threatened to kill) and wrapped the chain around the victim's neck and began to choke him. The inmate repeatedly told the victim he was going to kill him and tightened the chain to the point where the victim could not breathe. Deputy Knowlton saw the panic in the victim's face as he started changing colors due to suffocation. Without hesitation, Deputy Knowlton shoved her hands underneath the chain separating it from the victim's neck, creating just enough room so he could breathe. Although the chains were causing excruciating pain to Knowlton’s hands, she was able to pry the chain off the victim’s neck and head as the first inmate was still trying to strangle him. The inmate punched the victim multiple times in the head, as Knowlton was able to finally separate them. Knowlton sustained injuries to her hands during the fight which required extensive medical aid. Her bravery, quick decision making, and ability to fight through a dangerous attack, saved the life of the victim.