Life Saving Incident
June 13, 1939
California
San Diego County
San Diego
On June 13, 1939 Officers Ritchey and Chauvaud saved a man from drowning. An hour and a half of feverish artificial respiration work enabled the police ambulance crew, Bert Ritchey and Louis Chauvaud to score a decision over death as the revived John Wall, 17 years old, who almost drowned at Old Mission Beach. Attempting to fight his way back to shore against a heavy surf young Wall became exhausted, swallowed considerable water and was unconscious when lifeguards pulled him to safety. Ritchey and Chauvaud applied an inhalator and doggedly stuck to their work until Wall began breathing again. He was taken to Mercy hospital and he recovered. ( Text taken from a San Diego Union news article 1939)
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.
