4 Times Criminals Saved Cops Lives

Criminals aren’t exactly the biggest fans of law enforcement. Their job is to commit crimes and get away from law enforcement, while police have a duty to keep them off the streets and behind bars. Yet, humanity often prevails when a life is on the line. When life-or-death situations occur, even criminals step in to save the lives of police officers.

1. PA Man Saves Cop From Burning Vehicle

Daylan McLee spent a year in jail after an officer falsely accused him of pointing a gun at him. Needless to say, McLee was not a fan of the police and told CBS News that he ‘held a lot of animosity’ toward the boys in blue.

In January 2020, that animosity went out the door when McLee heard a car crash on the corner of his street. McLee ran to the crash scene and saw a police officer trapped inside his burning vehicle.

Another officer on scene attempted unsuccessfully to rescue the officer from the burning inferno but could not open the door. McLee rushed toward the burning vehicle, yanked open the door, and pulled Officer Jay Hanley from the wreckage.

Speaking to reporters after he saved Officer Hanley’s life, McLee stated that while he had plenty of run-ins with the law and met one too many bad officers, he knew good guys still existed. He said he appreciated the good cops and the work they do.

2. Handcuffed Teen Saves Officer Who Suffered a Heart Attack

In September 2015, 17-year-old Jamal Rutledge stood awkwardly in the booking room at the Broward County Sherrif’s Ofice as Officer Franklin Foulks processed him on a violation of probation charge when suddenly, Foulks grabbed his chest and fell to the floor.

He had suffered a heart attack.

Rutledge began kicking the security fence and shouting for help. The noise alerted other staff at the station, allowing Foulks to receive quick medical attention.

The entire incident was caught on camera.

3. Inmates Save Deputy From Inmate Attack

Kenneth Moon, 64, worked alone in a cellblock at the Hillsborough County Jail on November 2, 2009, when 24-year-old inmate Douglas Burden snuck up behind him and placed him in a chokehold.

Burden was serving time on DUI and drug charges.

Another inmate, 48-year-old Jerry Dieguez Jr., stood near the officer station when Burden placed Officer Moon in the chokehold. Serving time on invasion robbery and resisting an officer without violence, Dieguez ran full speed at Burden and punched him as hard as he could. 

All three men fell to the ground. Dieguez elbowed Burden to get him off Moon.

Another inmate, 34-year-old David Schofield, used Moon’s radio to call for help. Two other inmates, 27-year-old Hoang Vu, and 38-year-old Terrell Carswell joined Dieguez. All three pulled Burden off Moon.

Moon was one of the jail’s most well-liked guards. He attributes his friendly compassion and demeanor toward the inmates as the reason they liked him so well. It also explains why the inmates did not hesitate to jump in and save his life.

4. Inmate Saves Choking Officer

On December 18, 1993, Michael Felton worked in the control room at Burruss Correctional Training Center in Forsyth, Georgia. He was eating a ham biscuit when a piece of ham became lodged in his throat. He could not breathe and could not radio for help.

Felton had faith that the inmates in the jail would help him. He walked to the closet cell housing Michael Hudgens and Theodore Ruger. Hudgens was a convicted cocaine dealer who happened to know how to perform the Heimlich maneuver thanks to a class offered at the jail. 

Hudgens performed the Heimlich on Officer Felton as Ruger attempted to keep him calm. The men eventually freed the ham from Officer Felton’s throat, saving his life.

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