Tow Truck Driver Hailed Hero After Stopping To Help Stabbed Officer Carry Out Arrest

Feb 27, 2019 by apost team

A tow truck driver recently witnessed an officer in trouble and made the brave decision to come to the rescue.

Officer Philip Martinson had pulled over a vehicle on the highway for excessive speeding but wasn't prepared for what was about to happen next. The woman in the vehicle stabbed the officer in the back, rendering the officer incapable of making an arrest.

According to WQAD-TV, Tow truck driver Christian Melendrez witnessed the scene as he was driving down the highway and pulled over to assist the officer. Martinson asked him to grab his handcuffs and put them on the suspect, which he was able to do fairly quickly.

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The officer was holding the woman down, but was unable to make the arrest himself, based on the fact that the woman was wielding a knife and had just stabbed him. Had the heroic tow truck driver not made the decision to pull over, there is a decent chance that the officer may have lost his life.

Speaking to KCRA, CHP Officer Franco Castillo said:

"The good Samaritan, he put his life on the line, we appreciate what he did for Officer Martinson."

The police department has put out statements declaring Melendrez as a hero and has thanked him for his quick actions on the highway. The tow truck company that Melendrez works for has also spoken to the media and had some interesting insight into the situation. The owner of the tow truck company said they actively teach their tow truck drivers to be aware of police on the road.

The owner instructs his drivers to make sure each officer is standing upright when they pass a pulled over vehicle, as a way to make sure each officer they witness is not being attacked. This is in response to the appreciation that they have for the assistance officers provide them with on the road. In this situation, the mutual relationship they have with officers really helped to solve a dangerous situation.

If you are ever driving down the road and see an officer being attacked or overpowered, make sure to think about the officer and their loved ones. While it can be a dangerous maneuver to pull over, you might be making a decision that could potentially save a life. If you do happen to witness this type of situation, make sure you at least get on your phone and dial 911. An officer that is being attacked may not have been able to radio in for help, so you may be the only lifeline they have to rely on.

What do you think fo the drivers' reaction? Would you do the same to help? Don‘t hesitate to tell us in the comment section below and pass this heroic act onto others as well.