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Life Saving Incident

November 3, 2019
Illinois
Cook County
Chicago

On November 3, 2019, a Chicago police sergeant had a day for the ages when he saved an unresponsive woman and then proposed to his girlfriend — all after competing in a run while wearing his uniform. According to WGN-TV, SWAT Sergeant Mike Nowacki of the Chicago Police Department was near the finish line of a 15K run when he noticed a crowd — including his girlfriend, Officer Erin Gubala — gathered around an unresponsive woman in need of help. He raced over and administered CPR to the woman until emergency services arrived. “SWAT Sergeant Nowacki, a 19-year-veteran of the Chicago Police Department, for the love of his profession and commitment to excellence, ran the Allstate Hot Chocolate Run in full SWAT gear today,” detailed the Chicago Police Department in a post to their Facebook page. “Near the finish line, Sergeant Nowacki saw a crowd of people, including Officer Gubala, yelling for a medic.” “Sergeant Nowacki observed an unresponsive woman on the ground,” the department announcement continued. “For the love of his community and dedication to service, Sergeant Nowacki sprung into action and administered CPR until emergency medical services responded with an AED.” According to the Police Department, the woman was transported to Northwestern Hospital, where doctors credited Nowacki’s heroics for helping to save her life. Nowacki’s big day wasn’t over just yet. “Shortly after finishing the race, Sgt. Nowacki proposed to his girlfriend, Officer Gubala, who paused with disbelief before saying yes,” wrote the department. Making the moment even more romantic, Gubala presented her with a bouquet of flowers and proposed to her on one knee. “This is a day that they will never forget,” the department concluded.

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.