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The Up-Beat: Top police heroes of January
Our monthly roundup of cops doing good across the nation
By Police1 Staff
From small gestures of kindness to incredible acts of heroism, police officers help their communities every day. Our monthly news roundup, The Up-Beat, aims to bring greater attention to these inspiring stories.
For our top police heroes of January, we highlight a Capitol cop’s bravery during the Jan. 6 siege, a deputy who used his ‘brute strength’ to rescue three people from a sinking truck, and more. Do you have an uplifting story to share? Email editor@police1.com.
1. Hero of the month: Officer Eugene Goodman
Eugene Goodman deserves the Medal of Valor! He could have stepped aside and let Trump insurgents get to the Senate chamber while Senators were still there. Instead, this heroic officer got them to follow him the other direction, giving lawmakers time to escape! pic.twitter.com/BFeK3ZBktN
— Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) January 11, 2021
January’s top hero of the month should come as no surprise. Among the numerous accounts of bravery from police who were overwhelmed by a mob that stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, Officer Eugene Goodman’s quick thinking to lure the angry crowd away from the Senate chambers has become a symbol of all that was done that day to prevent the worst case scenerio. Goodman is now up for a Congressional Gold Medal and escorted Vice President Kamala Harris at President Joe Biden’s inauguration earlier this month. We thank all of the D.C. and Capitol police for their bravery that day.
2. NYPD harbor patrol rescues pooch from freezing waters
While patrolling the #NYC waters a few minutes ago, our #Harbor members spotted this dog frantically trying to keep afloat in Jamaica Bay
— NYPD Special Ops (@NYPDSpecialops) January 20, 2021
They quickly pulled the dog from the freezing water, wrapped him up & immediately brought him to a local vet#RuffMorning
Updates to follow pic.twitter.com/7iBxplCmTy
Georgia was struggling to stay afloat. FULL STORY
3. Ohio officers rescue unconscious woman from burning car
The woman was reportedly seconds away from burning alive. FULL STORY
4. Sheriff: LA. Deputy used 'brute strength' to rescue children from sinking truck
Sheriff Bobby Webre with WBRZ Reporter Rae'ven Jackson on major accident this morning.
Posted by Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office on Wednesday, January 27, 2021
Deputy Daniel Haydel dove into a canal and punched out the window of the vehicle, saving two children and their mother. FULL STORY
5. Ala. 11-year-old returns to school as honorary officer, thanks to NY police chief
We’d like you to meet Ezra Hunt. He is our honorary Black River Police Officer! There’s nothing like seeing a happy and smiling child!
Posted by Black River / Evans Mills Police Department on Sunday, January 10, 2021
The boy, who has down syndrome and has had three open-heart surgeries, loves police. FULL STORY
Whether it’s your own story, a colleague’s, a neighboring PD’s, or simply something you saw on the internet, submit your good police news to us HERE for a chance to be featured in The Up-Beat.
Want more hero stories? Check out our Police Heroes page and our roundup of police heroism in 2020.
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