Life Saving Incident
January 9, 1991
On January 9, 1991, at approximately 8:40 p.m., State Traffic Officer Monica Alvarado responded to a radio call of a male pedestrian threatening to commit suicide by jumping from the freeway onto a surface street below. Upon arriving at the location, Officer Alvarado observed a male standing on the shoulder looking over the freeway guardrail onto the street below. Officer Alvarado exited her vehicle and began approaching the individual. As she moved closer he shouted “Stay away or I’ll jump!” He then straddled the guardrail, turned towards her and shouted “Don’t come any closer!” while pulling his other leg over the railing. As the man began to push himself off the railing, Officer Alvarado leapt at him, grabbing the sleeve of his jacket. As she gained hold of his jacket, she was pulled against and halfway over the metal railing. Due to the size and weight of the man, Officer Alvarado could not pull him to safety. Realizing that she could not hold onto him for any lengthy period of time, she released her grip with one hand and used the microphone cord of her radio extender to request assistance, holding onto the suspect for approximately two and a half minutes until assistance arrived.
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.
