Two Michigan police officers are being praised for their "heroic actions" to rush a gunshot victim to the hospital in their cruiser last month.
Grand Rapids police responded to a shooting July 17 that critically wounded a man in the head, WZZM-TV reports. When Officers Laura Saxton and Andrew Smith reached the scene, they quickly decided to drive the victim to the hospital in their cruiser instead of waiting for an ambulance.
"They knew what needed to be done, and they acted to preserve life. And after they had transferred the victim to the care of emergency room personnel, they immediately returned to the scene to work alongside their fellow officers," said Chief Eric Winstrom. "I am honored to serve with them.”
Smith told MLive.com that he made the decision to take the victim in the cruiser, because the gunfire was keeping ambulances from responding. He dragged the man to the unit, while Saxton pull him into the cruiser.
“The heroic actions of Officer Andrew Smith and Officer Laura Saxton during an extremely chaotic and dangerous situation undoubtedly saved this man’s life,” said Winstrom.
