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
https://twitter.com/AttorneyCrump/status/1348425255505768449
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
https://twitter.com/NYPDSpecialops/status/1351909174079336450
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
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=170659651149495&t=93
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
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=3618910294863826&id=122078017880422
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.
NEXT: How a community care program provides both help and hope