Life Saving Incident
September 21, 1964
California
San Diego County
San Diego
September 22, 1964. "Fiery Auto Crash Kills Woman Passenger". Officer Richard Hoot had gone to the Police Station with his wife and four year old daughter to pick up his paycheck. It was about 10:30 at night as the family was driving home. Officer Hoot saw a red sports car driving recklessly. He followed the car. The Corvette sports car crashed into an apartment building at the intersection of Laurel and Union Streets. The vehicle came to rest upside down, having sheared off a fire plug before bursting into flames. The driver was ejected from the vehicle. Officer Hoot arrived and saw the driver lying on the road soaked in gasoline and water from the ruptured hydrant. The vehicle had exploded into flames. The driver's clothes were on fire. Officer Hoot rushed towards the flames in order to pull the driver to safety. Unfortunately, the female passenger was pinned into the wreckage. Though off-duty and with his family, Officer Hoot recognized a dangerous situation. He followed the reckless vehicle, then risked his life to save the driver. The passenger unfortunately perished at the scene. (San Diego Union )
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.
