INDIANAPOLIS -- An Indianapolis police officer is being recognized for saving another officer's life after her partner was run over by a suspect.
Officer Christin Rudell has been named the officer of the month for April by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.
In January 2011, Rudell and her partner, Officer Deanna Pulley, were called to investigate a report of an unruly woman at an Indianapolis bar.
The woman, who they found sitting in her car, refused to turn off the vehicle and then suddenly hit the gas, driving backward over Pulley, police said.
Rudell tried to smash the driver's side window to gain control of the vehicle, but the woman ran over Pulley again, police said.
That's when Rudell, fearing for her partner's life, fired into the vehicle, striking the woman multiple times, police said.
When the woman drove off, Rudell radioed dispatch a description of the suspect and her vehicle and then turned her attention to Pulley, administering first aid until emergency crews arrived.
The suspect was apprehended within a mile of the incident.
Pulley spent eight days in intensive care and underwent multiple surgeries. She made a full recovery and returned to active duty within 10 months.
Rudell suffered minor injuries to her left arm when she tried to break the car window.
"After witnessing a brutal attack and in harm’s way herself, Officer Rudell used her training and experience to remain calm and take action to protect her fellow officer," Indianapolis Police Chief Paul Ciesielski said in a news release. “I am both impressed and inspired by her actions."
Rudell was awarded the department's Medal of Valor for her actions.
"Officer Rudell's quick reaction to save the life of a fellow officer and protect the safety of the general public exemplifies exceptional heroism in the face of an extremely dangerous adversary whom had shown a particular disregard for the law and citizenry of Indianapolis," Indianapolis police Cmdr. Ronald Wicks said in a news release.
She and other officers from across the country will be honored at a special awards luncheon in Washington, D.C., in May 2013 during National Police Week.
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