Police Heroes
Police heroes come in many forms. On the Police Heroes topic page, we remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the mission to protect their communities.
An officer shares candid advice on grief, resilience and supporting fellow officers through unthinkable moments
Deputy Swartz overcame life-threatening injuries, including the amputation of his left leg, to return to work and prove that resilience can turn even the toughest challenges into inspiring victories
Read author Cynthia Brown’s description of her book, which profiles 15 NYPD heroes
Body camera footage shows Officers Dave Foster and Mike Ross comforting the scared children by singing songs and getting them chicken nuggets from McDonald’s
Clinton Township PD Sgt. Ryan Bates saw that the SUV had started to sink and came up with a game plan to remove the driver before the vehicle completely submerged
Medical
Jio Rodriguez, 21, was playing recreational basketball on a court nearby the college game when he collapsed; four police officers at the game rendered life-saving aid
The Middle Township officer arrived on the scene first and immediately began administering CPR; the paramedic took over CPR upon arrival until the child’s pulse returned
Navasota PD Sgt. Mark Butler crashed his patrol vehicle into a fleeing suspect who was speeding the wrong way down a highway
Brazoria County Deputy Jesus Vargas, working with a U.S. Marshals task force, was fatally shot while serving a warrant for a repeat offender
Howard County Police officers heard a woman crying for help, but gunfire prevented them from entering the house; they were able to save her after she crawled onto the roof
“What we did together...on that terrible day in July is what we are trained to do in Butler County every day: protect and save lives,” the first responders who will join the parade said
Memphis PD Officer Charles H. Cathey, a 37-year veteran of the department, was found unresponsive and taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead
A New York Times photo captures Officer Chrystian Banuelos carrying an elderly resident to safety
From innovative programs to groundbreaking legislation, these advocates exemplify what it means to “have the six” of officers and their communities
The honorees, including public figures, philanthropists, business leaders and legislators, stand behind law enforcement officers and help them succeed in their mission to protect their communities
Riverside County Deputy Timothy Corlew, assigned to the Jurupa Valley station, was riding in the left lane of the freeway when his motorcycle collided with another car
Officer Zachary Martinez suffered life-threatening injuries in the high-speed collision that claimed Officer Austin Machitar’s life
New York State Police Investigator John Carey died Oct. 24, 2024 at the age of 65; he served with the agency for 32 years
Recipients include four Tennessee officers who responded to the Covenant School shooting and a Nebraska sergeant who saved a woman from a sinking car
SWAT
“I want to show everybody that I’m here for the team…it’s [about] doing my job at the highest level possible,” San Antonio Officer Rhett Shoquist said
After her home was burglarized and Christmas gifts stolen, an Antioch woman received a surprise from local police officers who replaced the presents
Trooper Clay M. Carns, who was attempting to clear debris from the roadway when he was hit by a vehicle, is survived by his wife and two children
Officer Michael Horan was responding to a report of a man with a gun inside a Food Lion store when he was fatally shot
From a copper-brad bootprint to the final arrest, Morse’s pursuit of Joe Newell, a killer on the run, redefined law enforcement persistence
Most law-abiding citizens proceed with their daily lives without thinking to commend a cop for a job well done
“Chief Wayne Byerley’s leadership, optimism, and unwavering dedication to our community will leave a lasting legacy in Signal Hill,” Mayor Keir Jones said
Ketter survived a harrowing standoff and returned to duty, proving resilience knows no limits
Six-year-old cancer survivor Quinn D’Amico-Valliere, who loves police officers, received a custom police uniform and a $5,000 donation from Cops for Kids with Cancer
When gunshots filled the air, Sgt. Joelle Harrell ran in their direction before coming face-to-face with a bloodied Ricky Pearsall, a wide receiver with the San Francisco 49ers
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- ‘I am going to die’: Minn. trooper, deputy team up to stop of out-of-control car going 113 mph
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- Video: Ariz. officer jumps into pool, smashes submerged car’s sunroof to rescue trapped driver