Life Saving Incident
July 24, 1977
California
San Diego County
San Diego
On July 24, 1977 Officer McGinley responded to a radio call regarding a suicidal individual who was threatening to jump off of a bridge on fifth Avenue over Interstate 5, San Diego. Upon arrival he found a man on the outside of the railing of the bridge. He approached the individual inch by inch, while engaging him in conversation over a fifteen minute period. When close enough he reached out and grabbed the individual, first by the arm then by the upper body. After a considerable struggle he was successful in pulling the subject over the four foot railing and thus eliminating his threat.
The officer's actions directly averted the death of the subject and possible injury to passing motorists below while placing himself in imminent peril of death or great bodily injury. He was commended for saving the life of a fellow human being.
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.
