by Kris Hauser
Law-enforcement officers are sworn to protect and serve, but they often go above and beyond their official duties. They aren’t looking for recognition; it is part of who they are. Their selflessness is admirable, and we would like to showcase officers in different states who have done just that. The information in this article was sourced from Police1.com. The following law-enforcement officers have exceeded the parameters of their everyday duties to help those in need.
Alabama: Officer Garry Chapman of Ider, Alabama, made a traffic stop that led him to discover a missing child — on his first day as a certified patrolman.
The missing child, who was returned to his guardian, was originally from Pennsylvania. A 37-year-old woman was subsequently charged with interference with child custody. Ider Police Chief Stephen Malone stated that “being able to make the call to the boy’s guardian, letting them know he’s safe and on his way home, is one of the most rewarding parts of this job.”
Fun fact: Officer Chapman is the son of Dog the Bounty Hunter.
Alaska: Alaska State Troopers and other law-enforcement agencies in the Mat-Su-Valley worked together to facilitate “Shop with a hero,” which gives children the opportunity to purchase gifts for themselves and their families. Many children had a Merrier Christmas thanks to those who were involved in this great program.
Arizona: Glendale, Arizona, police officers responded to a call regarding a German Shepherd in a canal with no way to get out of the water.
Officer Sorenson and Officer Downey arrived on the scene. Officer Sorenson quickly removed his equipment and entered the canal to rescue the frightened dog. The dog was scared, so he avoided the officer, but Officer Downey had a solution.
Luckily, Officer Downey’s wife packed him pumpkin muffins. He figured the dog would be enticed by the tasty treat. It worked! Officer Sorenson was able to get the dog close enough to grab its collar.
The dog was successfully reunited with its family. Officer Downey’s wife packed the correct goodies for his lunch that day!
Arkansas: A police officer from the Pine Bluff Police Department was severely injured in a head-on collision by another vehicle whose driver was suspected of driving while intoxicated.
While responding to a call regarding an incident at a bar, Officer Tiffany Wood was struck by a car heading straight for her vehicle. Officer Wood told reporters that she had no time to react and move to safety.
She suffered multiple injuries, including broken ribs, broken vertebrae, a broken femur, a head injury, and a knee injury.
Thankfully, Officer Wood’s recovery went faster than expected. Commenting on the ordeal, she said, “When you stay positive, your healing progresses quicker; when you stay positive, your mindset keeps you going, it keeps you strong. It gives you a reason to keep moving forward so that you don’t quit on yourself.”
Her colleagues steadfastly supported her, even visiting her at home and giving birthday gifts to her seven-year-old son. It looks like she has two families: her blood family and her work family. She is truly blessed.
California: Passersby in Long Beach saw a 13-year-old girl holding up a piece of paper with the words “help me” in a parking lot. The individuals then called the police.
When the police arrived, the girl mouthed “help,” and the police arrested Steven Robert Sabian, the 61-year-old man who had abducted her, as he left a laundromat. Sabian abducted the girl in San Antonio, Texas, where she lived, and sexually assaulted her repeatedly.
Sabian has prior convictions going back as far as 1979. Thanks to the passersby and the police, the girl was rescued, and Sabian was sentenced to 35 years in federal prison in February 2025.
Colorado: Centennial, Colorado, police responded to a domestic dispute between two elderly folks. A man called the police to report the dispute at the lady’s residence. The police later determined that it was the man who was responsible for the dispute.
Vicki, the lady, was caring for her two great-grandchildren, ages 8 and 10. She told police that although her great-grandchildren were hungry, her boyfriend cooked the last two hot dogs in the house and made them watch. A verbal argument ensued, and the man called the police.
Deputy Ryan Weiner was concerned for the children, so he bought groceries for the children and their 71-year-old great-grandmother.
When he returned, Vicki tearfully said she was embarrassed. He reassured her that she should not be embarrassed. He said, “I hate when kids are hungry, that speaks to my heart.” Vicki was very grateful.
What a wonderful thing Deputy Weiner did for this family.
Delaware: Officers with the community services unit of the New Castle County Police spent the Christmas Season by giving presents to needy families in their area. What an extra special Christmas those folks had. Thank you, New Castle County Police officers!
Illinois: Peoria County sheriff’s deputies were among those who helped rescue a five-year-old girl trapped on the third floor of an apartment building on fire. The deputies and nearby residents saved the little girl by holding out a blanket to catch her as she was dropped out of the window.
Local fire departments also responded, and saved the lives of the other three family members living in the apartment.
What a wonderful example of our law enforcement, fire rescue, and residents working together. Four lives were saved through their courage, strength, and sacrifice.
Kentucky: Riley Cottongim, a five-year-old boy from Louisville, was starting kindergarten. Normally, a child’s parents would bring him to his first day of school. However, Riley’s father, Officer Zach Cottongim, had been killed in the line of duty. He was struck by a vehicle while inspecting a vehicle that had been abandoned on the side of the interstate.
Thankfully, officers from the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) welcomed Riley to his first day of kindergarten. They lined up on both sides of the sidewalk as he walked to his classroom. Riley was smiling and high-fived them, his mother said.
His mother, Jamie, told Good Morning America that “he had an amazing day. He told me it was the best day ever. His teacher told me that by the time he got to class, he had the biggest smile on his face.”
Although Jamie works in the record department of LMPD, she had no idea this was in the works. Officer Cottongim’s fellow officers stepped up big time!
Louisiana: In 2020, State Trooper George Baker died in the line of duty. While picking up stop sticks used minutes earlier to stop a fleeing vehicle, he was struck by a vehicle. Trooper Baker left behind his wife and young daughter, Harper.
After his death, a fellow trooper’s wife decided she wanted to do something special for Harper. “Hero Day” was coming up at the school Harper attended, so she thought it would be fitting to repurpose Trooper Baker’s uniform shirt — the same one he wore when he made the ultimate sacrifice.
The Louisiana State Police posted on Facebook, “She transformed it into a beautiful dress for his beloved daughter, Harper.” It continued, “Harper proudly wore the dress during Homecoming week at her school for ‘Guard the Hive’ Hero Day, honoring her late father’s memory.”
Sidenote: The Albany High School baseball field, in Albany, Louisiana, was renamed in Trooper George Baker’s honor.
Minnesota: While sheriff’s deputies were chasing a carjacked pickup truck in Ramsey County, Minnesota, the suspected carjackers threw a pit bull puppy from the moving vehicle. The puppy shivered for hours in subzero weather until deputies saved it from a snowy embankment the next morning.
Deputies rushed the puppy to an emergency veterinarian clinic to treat its injuries, including a broken leg. It was expected to make a full recovery. That puppy is one tough little fella.
Although the carjackers — two men — escaped, the deputies arrested two women traveling with them. One of the arrested women had a history of animal cruelty.
The deputies who saved the puppy named him Tahoe. The sheriff’s office took custody over the puppy.
Montana: One night, Officer Jacob Smith of the Great Falls Police Department spotted someone climbing over a bridge railing while patrolling. He put his police cruiser into reverse, and returned to where he saw the person.
According to dash-cam footage, Smith noted the teenager was jumping right then. He also shouted, “Hey buddy! Don’t do it. Will you talk to me please?”
Officer Smith spoke to the teenager for more than 35 minutes. The teen slowly made his way back toward Officer Smith.
The teen eventually told Officer Smith that he was carrying an Airsoft pistol, but Smith convinced him to throw the gun over the railing. By this time, rescue vehicles had arrived on the scene, including a boat waiting in the river below. A passerby joined Smith in speaking with the teenager.
Finally, the teenager climbed back to solid ground. He then went right over to Officer Smith, who was waiting for him, and hugged him tightly.
Smith told reporters, “To see that reward of getting that young man to get help. He got treatment, and he called me afterward and he thanked me for everything and he’s kind of stayed in touch. We’ve bounced things off each other and he’s expressed interest in becoming law enforcement. That gratification isn’t just the one-minute hug on the bridge, it’s everything that follows that. It’s to see that he’s still getting that care and help he needs.”
Caring, compassion, and kindness go a long way. We don’t know what others are going through, or how kindness can change someone’s life. Kudos to you, Officer Smith!
Serving Others
These stories give only a small glimpse of the many law-enforcement officers who have gone above and beyond what is expected of them.
Thank you to all those who protect and serve — and a special thank you to those who go the extra mile.