Officer Brek Orton

On August 7, 2007, Boise Police Officer Brek Orton responded to a call for a water rescue on the Boise River. Upon arrival, Officer Orton observed three Boise firefighters on a log in the river trying to cut a trapped woman's bathing suit free from the limbs of a downed tree. Her body had been completely submerged under eight to ten inches of water for approximately ten minutes. Officer Orton jumped into the swift current and made his way to the body. Unable to touch bottom himself, Officer Orton held onto the log with one arm as he pushed the body upstream against the strong current. The firefighters were ready and able to immediately cut the bathing suit free from the branch. Officer Orton kept hold of the victim as they were swept downstream where he was able to pull her towards the shore. Officer Orton's exceptionally brave and selfless actions allowed firefighters and EMS to begin resuscitation efforts, which resulted in the saving of the victim's life. His actions are in the highest tradition of Idaho law enforcement and are a credit upon himself, the Boise Police Department and Idaho law enforcement officers.