Life Saving Incident
June 12, 2018
Minnesota
Ramsey County
St. Paul
On Tuesday, June 12, 2018, Officers Charles Lemon, a six-year veteran, and Mike Kempe, a two-year veteran, were out on patrol when they heard a call come over the radio about a woman on the 1300 block of Virginia Street who was attempting suicide while on FaceTime with a friend. Officers quickly made their way to the home and were initially denied access. Knowing that time could mean the difference between life and death, they made their way into the apartment and searched for the woman. Initially she couldn’t be found, but then they learned she may be in a locked bedroom. The officers announced themselves but received no reply. So Lemon used his shoulder to force open the door and that’s where they saw her hanging by her neck from a piece of cloth that had been tied around a closet rod. Lemon immediately grabbed the woman and lifted her upwards while removing the piece of cloth from her neck. He then placed her gently on the ground. Kempe positioned her to clear her airway and prevent further injury to her spine and neck. Thankfully, and before the officers could perform CPR, she began breathing again. St. Paul Fire medics were called and the woman was transported to the hospital. She lived.
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.
