Officers and civilians from the Metropolitan Police Department gathered on Wednesday to recognize the heroic actions of 35 officers and two civilians who demonstrated exceptional bravery, with some saving lives in critical situations.
One of the standout stories was that of Officer Jason Rich, a father of six daughters, who sprang into action when he encountered a distressed mother holding her choking daughter during his patrol near Las Vegas Ballpark in Summerlin last June.
On June 14, Rich noticed a car stopped in the middle of Pavilion Center Drive, where a mother was screaming for help. Blood was visible on her young daughter’s face, and the situation appeared dire.
“The baby isn’t crying, the baby isn’t blue, but what’s going on?” Rich recalled, highlighting the urgency he felt as he approached the scene.
Rich took the girl from the mother, who had a limited grasp of English, and immediately recognized that the child was struggling to breathe. After several tense minutes of gently patting the girl on the back, the mother noticed that a hair clip was missing from her daughter’s hair. Moments later, the child coughed up the clip.
“All of a sudden, she pops up, and besides the blood on her face, she’s just kind of looking around and looking for mom,” Rich recounted, sharing the moment of relief when the child was no longer in immediate danger.
The girl was taken to the hospital for monitoring, and unfortunately, Rich never discovered her name or that of her mother. However, officials posited that his quick response likely prevented the child from falling into cardiac arrest and potentially dying.
Among those recognized on Wednesday were a team of detectives who uncovered an alleged murder-for-hire plot linked to a federal loan fraud scheme, as well as officers who intervened to thwart an armed robbery in downtown Las Vegas.
Additionally, a group of four officers collaborated with Delta Airlines employees to save a suicidal woman who jumped from a parking garage at Harry Reid International Airport.
Other honorees included an officer who organized community events and a team dedicated to building a memorial for two officers who were killed in the line of duty.
Rich was the only officer available for an interview after the awards ceremony, which was held at Metro’s headquarters.
Undersheriff Andrew Walsh, who presented the awards, praised the courage displayed by the officers and civilians during emergencies, emphasizing the importance of their sacrifices.
“This truly is a career and a life of service that is beyond compare,” Walsh noted. “The sacrifices we ask you to make, the sacrifices you make on behalf of strangers at the expense of your own loved ones and families does not go unnoticed by us.”
For those struggling with suicidal thoughts or concerned about someone else, resources are available 24/7. Help can be accessed by calling or texting the Lifeline network at 988, or visiting 988lifeline.org. Moreover, the Crisis Text Line offers a free national service 24/7; individuals can text HOME to 741741 for assistance.
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