By Police1 Staff
Lending a helping hand is part of the job for officers of the law — but their daily good deeds rarely make headlines. With our new series, we aim to bring some much-deserved attention to the little things our officers do for our communities every day. Check out this week’s round-up of inspiring stories from around the country.
1. Utah cop saves 2 lives in a day
(St. George Police Department Image)
ST. GEORGE, Utah – A police officer is garnering high praise for saving two very young lives in a single day.
According to Fox News, St. George Police Officer Matt Schuman was working Dec. 8 at a middle school when he witnessed a 14-year-old girl suffer a seizure during gym class and go into cardiac arrest.
The officer performed CPR until EMTs arrived and the girl was airlifted to a hospital for treatment.
As the officer traveled home at the end of his shift, he received a call that a 9-month-old infant was chocking.
Schuman responded to the scene and was able to clear an obstruction, saving the infant’s life.
2. San Francisco cop provides Christmas gifts to homeless
SAN FRANCISCO – San Francisco police Officer Ryan Crockett has an annual holiday tradition of providing socks, blankets, clothes and water to those in need.
“Socks are a huge hit,” Crockett told Hoodline. “There’s a guy that I’ll usually help out with a cheeseburger in the morning. I gave him a pair of socks today, and I got a ‘Woo hoo!’ Usually, I just get a ‘thank you.’”
The officer has paid for the items out-of-pocket for several years, totaling in the “hundreds of dollars.” According to the report, the price is well-worth the connections the officer makes with those less fortunate in the city he patrols.
Next year, he plans to accept donations in order to expand the program even further.
“I’m just doing a good deed daily; it’s what I like to do. If I can’t do a good deed daily, I’ve failed at that day,” Crockett said in his interview with the publication.
3. Ark. cops stage traffic stop for surprise marriage proposal
Watch till the end! I was so nervous lol.. she said yes ? ? ?Reanna Taberber
Posted by Justin Daniels on Saturday, November 28, 2015
VAN BUREN, Ark. – Van Buren police officers went above and beyond to help their civilian friend in need.
According to KFSM, Officer Shane Ridenour was approached by his friend, Justin Daniels, and asked to conduct a traffic stop in order for Daniels to surprise his girlfriend with a marriage proposal.
After receiving approval from his sergeant, Officer Ridenour and another fellow officer stopped the couple at a signal light, patted Daniels down, then presented a box the officers claimed was discovered to be ‘contraband.’ Inside the box? An engagement ring.
The entire proposal was caught on cell phone video.
“At the police department, we do a lot of things for the citizens. We unlock vehicles; we do funeral escorts; so I guess we do engagements now too,” Ridenour told KFSM. “It was just an honor to be part of their day.”
4. San Francisco police rescue elderly woman trapped in sofa bed
(SFPD Image)
SAN FRANCISCO – A friendly bond between an elderly San Francisco resident and two SFPD officers resulted in a discovery last month that likely saved a life.
According to WCVB, Officers McFall and Cuthbertson regularly check on an 84-year-old woman they’ve befriended during their time on the beat. The officers even brought the woman – who has no family in the area – dinner on Thanksgiving Day.
When the officers stopped at the residence a few days after the holiday, they discovered the woman had fell through her sofa bed frame and was trapped.
The officers transported the woman to a hospital from treatment and likely saved her life – had they not visited the home, four days would have passed before a home care worker conducted a scheduled wellness check.
5. Ind. cop helps homeless couple
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – A cop called out to a domestic call came to the aid of a couple experiencing hard times.
According to WTHI, Lieutenant Scott Brown responded to a call of a possible domestic situation when he came upon Sergio Caruso and Mary Ohl.
Caruso and Ohl, who have been together for 25 years, had fallen on hard times and been living in a truck for the past seven months.
When Brown determined no illegal activity was occurring, he decided to lend a helping hand to the pair. Brown filled up the couple’s tank, bought them food, and gave them 100 dollars.
“People need to know that there are people out there that are good wholesome people that they do care about just perfectly strangers like us that they don’t even know. I just thank you, Scott, and God bless you,” Caruso told the publication.