Life Saving Incident
October 3, 2015
Oklahoma
Edmond County
Oklahoma City
It was October 3, 2015. Officers got a call about a suicidal man on a bridge on SE 89th and I-35. “Calling party was afraid that man was going to jump,” said Sgt. Jacob Cole, who was the first to arrive. Within minutes, Cole had to jump into action as the man verbally threatened to jump off the bridge. The entire time Cole tried to talk the man down of the ledge. “He just kept getting closer and he threw one of his legs over the wall, and he wouldn't look at me. He kept looking down,” said Cole. “I just didn't want him to jump, didn't want him to jump. I could see the cars going…on the highway and I was like, ‘I hope we don't get hit.’” And then Cole reached out and grabbed the man, just as he started to jump. He managed to grab him by his shirt, as those nearby watched as he hung in the air until two Norman officers were able to rush in to help. “I was just hoping his shirt didn't rip,” said Cole. “I had a good hold, but that was the big thing I was worried about was his shirt ripping. I couldn't do anything about that.” Fortunately, the crisis was averted due to Cole’s quick thinking. And for his courage and bravery and for saving a life in the process, the OKC police department proudly awards him the Life Saving Award and the Police Medal of honor.
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.
