She's a life-saver
Rathdrum Police officer, Tonia Brown, was presented the Life Saving Award from the American Police Hall of Fame on Wednesday. Officer Brown saved a woman's life on July 12, 2020 following a vehicle collision.
RATHDRUM — Officer Tonia Brown of the Rathdrum Police Department saved a woman’s life July 12, 2020.
Brown was honored Wednesday night by the American Police Hall of Fame for her act of heroism. Brown and her partner, Sergeant Greg Marshall, responded to an injury crash at the intersection of Pine and Wright streets.
Arriving on scene to find a passenger with a nearly severed arm, Brown jumped to action. She applied a tourniquet and kept the victim calm while waiting for emergency medical responders, Marshall said.
Vehicle extrication equipment was needed, and the injured passenger was transported by helicopter to Kootenai Health.
The vehicle had been traveling at a high rate of speed and collided with a telephone pole. The driver was arrested for aggravated DUI and the crash resulted in the victim losing her arm, according to news reports.
Idaho State Police Trooper Holly Branch was the primary investigating officer.
“We responded to a possible fatality crash and, thanks to Tonia, that didn’t happen,” Branch said at Wednesday night's award ceremony during the City Council meeting. “Your quick thinking saved the passenger. She would not be alive if it weren’t for you.”
“The ISP wants to congratulate the whole (Rathdrum Police) team,” Branch added. “The caliber of people you have working here is incredible. I hope you are proud of them, because we are.”
Officer Brown wishes to thank Jenn Foreman, of Combat First Aid, for her training.