Washington teens awarded 'Medal of Heroism' for saving female deputy's life in chokehold attack by drunk driver
Five young men in Washington state were applauded by law enforcement after they stepped in to save the life of a deputy who was attacked by a suspected drunk driver. King County Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht presented the “Medal of Heroism" to the five teenagers Monday. According to the sheriff's office, it is an award that was created to honor community members who have done extraordinary things. As reported by WBTV, the honorees were identified as 16-year-old Darrell Swilley, 17-year-old Isaiah Sansaver, 18-year-old Tyran Powell, 18-year-old Kai Tavares, and 19-year-old Dominic Sansaver.
“We can’t thank these fine young men enough. They are true heroes,” the sheriff’s office wrote on Facebook.
Deputy Elliot was reportedly off-duty and on her way home when she was flagged down at the scene of a car crash at around 1 am on July 18 in Auburn, Washington.
The officer was ensuring no one had sustained injuries when a suspected drunk driver, who allegedly caused the accident, started walking away from the scene. When the deputy tried to physically detain him, the suspect fought back. According to the sheriff's office, the suspect put Elliot in a chokehold and she struggled to breathe. Meanwhile, she could hear the others yelling," Get off of her.” After realizing the suspect wouldn't yield, the five young men pounced and helped the deputy get free so she could handcuff him. Elliot suffered minor scrapes and bruises from the incident and was not seriously injured, per the authorities, who said the young men's actions “quite possibly saved her life.”
"On her behalf, I have to thank you," Sheriff Johanknecht told the boys on Monday. "She believes, and I believe had you not been there for her on this day, she might not be alive." “Moms and Dads, you should be proud of these kids!” the sheriff’s office wrote on Facebook. The suspect, who is yet to be identified, was arrested on counts of felony assault of an officer and driving under the influence. The sheriff's office later found in police records that the suspect had several other warrants out for his arrest, including for DUI, driving with a suspended license and failure to have an ignition interlock.
The comments section below the sheriff's Facebook post blew up as several observers showered praise on the lads. "We need more young men like this! These fine gentlemen should be the example for all of us! Thank you guys for stepping up!" one wrote. "Well done and thank you not only for saving the deputy, but for restoring my faith in humanity," a second added.
"These are the kids that deserve a scholarship! Not sports stars, but people of great character!" a third commented. "There ARE good teens and young adults in the world. Thanks for hi-lighting them when the rest of the media only shows us the terrible things happening with our youth," a fourth chimed in.
"Oh yeah...the news doesn't want to air this, it doesn't fit their politics. If the deputy had shot the guy, it would be front-page news," another added.