Life Saving Incident
October 21, 2019
California
Orange County
Irvine
On October 21, 2019, Officer John Zumwalt came upon a stopped UPS delivery van, partially in a grass parkway. Upon investigation, Zumwalt found the van’s driver unconscious, unresponsive and with no pulse. After notifying police dispatch Officer Zumwalt immediately began lifesaving measures. Sergeant Eladio Acuna soon arrived on scene with an automated external defibrillator (AED) and together the men performed two-rescuer CPR for over five minutes until Orange County Fire Authority paramedics took over. The man has since made a full recovery. On February 19, 2020, Officer Zumwalt and Sergeant Acuna received the American Red Cross Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action. “The Certificate is given to individuals like Officer Zumwalt and Sergeant Acuna who step up in an emergency situation and help save a life,” said Steve Thronson, local Red Cross board member who presented Zumwalt and Acuna with the Lifesaving Award. “These two exemplify the mission of the Red Cross to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies and should be commended for their willingness to help others in distress.”
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.
