|
CITATION
FOR VALOR
JOHN T. SMITH
In recognition of his highly courageous
action involving great personal risk that resulted in the rescue of a
potential drowning victim.
At approximately 4:45 p.m.,
on December 4, 2010, the County Sheriff’s Office called on the Upper Souris
National Wildlife Refuge to assist in locating a young woman who indicated
she might attempt suicide. Two Refuge Officers immediately set out to
look for the woman and found her in her parked vehicle at Boat Landing
One on the west shore of Lake Darling on the Refuge. Refuge Officer
John Smith, who had been monitoring the situation, quickly arrived at the
scene. Officer Smith decided that it was necessary to remove the
woman from her vehicle to ensure that she had no dangerous weapons with
her, and to control the situation. Officer Smith, along with another
officer, approached the woman, and after identifying themselves, requested
she exit her vehicle. She immediately locked her doors and drove away
with Officer Smith in pursuit. The woman drove at a high rate of speed
to Boat Landing Two, where she jumped from her vehicle and ran into the
water. Officer Smith pursued her into the water to a depth where he
could no longer continue without a life jacket. With 40 mph winds, and a
water temperature of approximately 45 degrees, there was a risk of
hypothermia to the woman and officers. Officer Smith, at great
personal risk, went further into the water, gripped onto the back of a life
jacket worn by another officer involved in the rescue effort, and together
the two officers made their way back to shore with the unconscious victim
in tow. Meanwhile, a third officer had arrived and called for an
ambulance and medical assistance. The woman was transported to a
Minot hospital where she fully recovered. Without the quick response
and bravery shown by Officer Smith, the woman most certainly would have
drowned. For his courageous action and the great personal risk he
assumed, John T. Smith is granted the Valor Award of the Department of the
Interior.
Secretary of the Interior
|
