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In an era marked by economic instability, political unrest, mental health challenges, and widespread violence, the world appears to be in a state of disarray. Amidst this turmoil, first responders—ranging from EMTs to firefighters—stand on the frontlines, addressing the chaos head-on. When emergencies arise, these are the individuals people turn to for help.
While stories and videos of police misconduct often dominate the headlines, and tensions between law enforcement and the public remain highly politicized, this list aims to shift focus. It highlights the courageous actions of individual officers who went above and beyond their duties to save lives. In a time when political outrage often overshadows positive narratives, it’s important to remember those who performed extraordinary acts of heroism. Here are ten instances where the police made life-saving interventions.
10. Ithaca Car Accident
On January 3, 2019, Robert P. Gelinas Jr., a 54-year-old man, was driving along Route 13 in Ithaca, New York, when he abruptly turned left, cutting off another car. The collision left Gelinas critically injured, as he was not wearing a seatbelt at the time.
Fortunately, Pete Tyler, the Ithaca police chief, was patrolling nearby when the accident happened. He immediately stopped his vehicle, rushed to the scene, and began performing CPR on Gelinas. Tyler continued his efforts until paramedics arrived and transported the injured man to the hospital.
Gelinas was airlifted to Syracuse Hospital in critical condition. Without Chief Tyler’s swift actions and the fortunate timing of his presence, Robert Gelinas Jr. might not have survived. Thanks to the police chief’s dedication and quick thinking, Gelinas lived to share his story.
9. Papillion, Nebraska
In July 2015, Tom Reber experienced a heart attack that essentially ended his life. His heart stopped beating for a full ten minutes. Doctors now regard his survival as nothing short of miraculous, thanks to a Papillion police officer who arrived at the scene just in time.
Officer Frank Matyja, the responding officer, didn’t hesitate to act. Despite Reber’s lifeless state, Matyja began performing CPR, something he had never done before. He repeatedly urged, “Come on, Tom, come on!” as he worked tirelessly to revive him.
Although Tom has no memory of the incident, he is fully aware that Matyja’s timely intervention saved his life until paramedics arrived. Over a month later, the two met for the first time—at least from Tom’s perspective. Tom expressed immense gratitude for the heroic efforts of Officer Frank Matyja, who followed his training without hesitation, even when the odds seemed insurmountable, and ultimately saved a life.
8. Bruce McArthur
In January 2018, authorities apprehended Bruce McArthur, a serial killer who later admitted guilt to eight counts of first-degree murder on January 29, 2019. Operating as a landscaper and former mall Santa in Toronto, McArthur killed eight men between 2010 and 2017. Investigators discovered eight folders on his computer, each containing photos of his victims, posed with items like fur coats and cigars—a chilling signature of his crimes.
McArthur had targeted a ninth victim, but police intervention prevented another tragedy. Upon raiding his home, officers found the intended victim tied to McArthur’s bed. A folder bearing the man’s name was also found on McArthur’s computer. The timely arrest saved the man from becoming the next victim of this ruthless serial killer. It’s a harrowing tale the survivor will carry for the rest of his life.
At 67 years old, Bruce McArthur received a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 25 years. If he survives and is released, he will be 92 years old.
7. Omaha, Nebraska
In yet another remarkable example of a life saved by a police officer in Nebraska, John Niemoth experienced a heart attack while driving on May 20, 2017. As the crisis unfolded, he neared the intersection at 132nd and West Dodge in Omaha, colliding with another car in an accident that sent three people to the hospital.
Two bystanders, Omaha police officer Aaron Gurzick and nurse Megan Steingraber, were passing by and sprang into action. Despite being off-duty, their training took over when they noticed smoke from the crash. They rushed to assist John Niemoth, who had not only suffered a heart attack but also sustained broken ribs in the collision.
Steingraber, en route to a wedding reception, didn’t hesitate to pull the 67-year-old man from his vehicle in the rain, still wearing her bridesmaid’s dress. Together, she and Gurzick performed CPR, keeping Niemoth alive until emergency responders arrived. A month later, they met the man whose life they had saved. Niemoth, a paramedic himself, expressed deep gratitude that two skilled individuals happened to be at the right place at the right time.
6. Narcan
Narcan is a polarizing topic, hailed as a lifesaver by some and debated by others. This drug effectively counteracts the impact of opioids, halting an overdose in its tracks. It takes effect within two to five minutes, depending on how it’s administered, and prevents the nervous system from failing.
In October 2018, East Kingston Police Chief Michael LePage, who had recently been trained to administer Narcan, responded to an emergency call about an unconscious roommate. Arriving first on the scene, LePage quickly recognized the signs of a drug overdose.
Drawing on his training, LePage administered Narcan, neutralizing the overdose and saving the woman’s life. This incident highlights the ongoing battle against the opioid crisis, which continues to claim lives daily. LePage noted that every member of his team carries Narcan and is trained to use it, turning them into potential lifesavers. Thanks to this remarkable drug and the quick actions of a skilled officer, a New Hampshire woman survived a near-fatal overdose.
5. Flight
On December 17, 2018, a flight from Florida to Chicago was proceeding normally until the crew announced that a passenger needed medical assistance. They asked if anyone onboard had medical expertise, prompting two individuals to step forward: a nurse and an off-duty police officer named Andrew Mammen.
The flight crew explained that a woman had experienced 17 seizures in just 45 minutes since takeoff. Mammen and the nurse quickly cleared the aisle, laid the woman down, and requested oxygen masks. Despite their efforts, the woman stopped breathing.
When oxygen masks proved ineffective, Mammen, a former EMT, began performing CPR. The pilot made an emergency landing in South Carolina, where paramedics took over and transported the woman to the hospital. Thanks to Mammen’s quick thinking and the collaboration of others, the woman’s life was saved.
4. Freezing River
In the early hours of February 6, 2019, a man on the Jackson Street Bridge in Newark, New Jersey, stood for hours contemplating suicide. Police arrived and spent considerable time trying to persuade him not to jump into the icy Passaic River. Despite their efforts, the man leaped into the freezing water, setting the stage for a dramatic rescue.
However, the story didn’t end there. After plunging into the water, the man immediately struggled to swim against the freezing, fast-moving current. Police deployed a boat and executed a courageous rescue, pulling the man from the icy river by his arm—the only part of him visible above the water. Thanks to their swift actions, the man survived and was given a second chance at life.
3. San Francisco
At 7:06 AM on December 19, 2018, at San Francisco International Airport, Sergeant Bobby Cheung was alerted about an unresponsive woman. Upon reaching her, he identified her as an airport employee and quickly sprang into action. He checked her pulse and found none.
Cheung immediately called for an automated external defibrillator (AED) and began performing CPR. Other officers arrived and took turns using the AED until the woman showed signs of life, blinking and squeezing an officer’s hand. The 38-year-old woman survived her near-death experience, thanks to the officers’ training and quick response during the crisis.
2. Folsom Crash
In January 2019, Deputy Jaie Sacco of the Sacramento Sheriff’s Department witnessed a car crash a short distance away while driving. Despite being off-duty, he rushed to the scene to help. The vehicle was severely damaged, with its metal frame completely crushed, as described by responding officers.
Deputy Sacco approached the vehicle to check for occupants but found no one inside. Nearby, he discovered the driver, who had been ejected and was lying unconscious, barely alive. Sacco immediately began performing CPR. Jennifer McCue, an off-duty Elk Grove police officer, arrived shortly after and assisted him. Together, they kept the woman alive until emergency services could transport her to the hospital. This incident highlights yet another example of police officers exceeding their duties, using their expertise to save lives, as they do daily.
1. Shots Fired
In July 2017, a remarkable incident unfolded in Las Vegas, showcasing the dedication of police officers to protect and serve. Two officers on patrol received a report of a nonfatal shooting and a stolen vehicle. They spotted a car matching the description and initiated a chase, but the driver refused to stop. Eventually, the vehicle pulled into a private driveway, and a man and woman exited, fleeing on foot.
The entire event was captured on both a home security camera and an officer’s body cam. As the suspects attempted to escape through the backyard, the officers pursued them. The man suddenly drew a firearm and opened fire. The officers returned fire, discharging 26 shots in total. The man was struck 19 times, while the woman was hit once in the arm, leaving both injured and bleeding on the ground.
With weapons drawn, the officers approached the wounded couple. Realizing the threat was neutralized and the man was losing blood rapidly, one officer acted swiftly. Despite having fired the majority of the shots, he applied a makeshift tourniquet to the man’s severely injured leg, stemming the bleeding. Thanks to the officer’s quick thinking and commitment to saving lives, the man survived, even after being shot 19 times by the very officers he had attacked.
