Five teenagers were awarded the Medal of Heroism Award on Monday for actions that likely saved the life of a King County Deputy.
Deputy Elliott had been off-duty, driving her patrol car home around 1 AM on July 18th when she was flagged down at the scene of an accident involving multiple vehicles, according to the King County Sheriff’s Office. Witnesses reported that a drunk driver, who was stumbling away from the scene, had caused the accident.
When Deputy Elliott approached the man and told him he was not allowed to leave, he put up his fists in a fighting stance and began to struggle with her. At one point she was able to radio for help, but the man then grabbed Elliott’s neck and placed her in a headlock.
It was at that moment that five teenagers intervened. They had been walking by the events when they saw Deputy Elliott struggling to free herself from the headlock.
The teenagers yelled “get off of her” and pulled the suspect away from Deputy Elliott. They were able to pin him to the ground so that Deputy Elliott could handcuff him.
“Moms and Dads, you should be proud of these kids!” wrote the King County Sheriff’s Office in a Facebook post shortly afterward.
The suspect was arrested for felony assault of an officer and DUI, and had several other warrants for his arrest.
Deputy Elliott walked away with only scrapes and bruises.
The five boys – Darrell Swilley, Isaiha Sansaver, Dominic Sansaver, Tyran Powell, and Kai Tavares – range in ages from 16 to 19 years old.
On Monday, August 3rd, Sheriff Mitzi G. Johanknecht and Auburn Police Chief O’Neil presented the Sheriff’s “Medal of Heroism” Award to the boys. In a Facebook post of the event, the Sheriff’s Office said of the boys, “We can’t thank these fine young men enough. They are true heroes.”
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