Boise, March 11, 2008 - Congratulations Officer Brek Orton.
Boise Police Chief Michael Masterson is proud to announce that Boise Police Officer Brek Orton has been selected as a winner of the prestigious TOP COP Award, an honor presented by the National Association of Police Organizations.
The TOP COP award pays tribute to the men and women in law enforcement for their outstanding service to America's communities. Officer Orton is one of ten TOP COP winners chosen from hundreds of nominations nationwide. Officer Orton was nominated for the TOP COP honor by Chief Masterson.
For winning the TOP COP honor, Officer Orton will fly, all expenses paid to a ceremony Washington, D.C.. The ceremony will take place May 12th at the beginning of National Police Week.
"I was very surprised and greatly honored to find out that I was, not only nominated, but received this prestigious award," said Officer Orton. "I feel I did nothing more than any officer would do. I was just in the right place at the right time to make a difference."
Officer Orton is being recognized as a TOP COP for his part in the rescue of a woman floating the Boise River August 7th, 2007. The 58 year old grandmother was in a raft with her son and grandson that flipped after hitting a fallen branch. She was held under water by her swimsuit that had caught on the branch. When Officer Orton arrived on scene, rescuers were having difficulty reaching the woman. He took off his ballistic vest and gunbelt, dove into the water that was approx. six feet deep, used his strength and skill to lift the branch out of the water with one hand and hold the unconscious victim with the other, high enough so the closest firefighter could reach her and cut her swimsuit free. Officer Orton then swam to shore with the victim, keeping her head above water, and delivered her to waiting firefighters and paramedics who began CPR. Although the woman had been under water for several minutes, miraculously she survived.
"So many police officers, like Officer Orton, quietly do their duty each day, helping citizens and responding to calls for help," said Chief Masterson. "When officers quick thinking, considerable skill and stamina literally saves lives, and a national organization like NAPO recognizes the effort, it's a reward that no officer asks for, but all would appreciate and so many deserve."
"I feel the true hero in this story is Mrs. Starr," said Officer Orton. "It's her determination and great will to survive that helped give this story a happy ending."
Officer Orton is a member of the BPD Patrol Unit at Boise State University and a member of the Boise PD Special Operations Group (SWAT). he's been a member of the Boise Police Department for the past nine years.
