LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — On Wednesday afternoon, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Division gathered to honor heroes who do not simply put on the badge, however embody its promise to guard and serve in extraordinary methods.
Applause crammed the room as Officer Jason Wealthy stood amongst his friends, humbled and smiling alongside his six daughters.
“For his quick actions, the lifesaving award goes to Officer Jason Rich,” the announcer stated.
It was a second of recognition for an evening Officer Wealthy will always remember.
Final June, Wealthy was working additional time at a Las Vegas Aviators recreation when he heard screams echoing from Pavilion Middle Drive.
“I was working the crosswalk and remember standing there and hearing screaming down Pavilion Center,” he recalled.
He turned to discover a mom standing within the highway, frozen with worry, holding her child in her arms.
“I ran over to her. As I’m getting closer, I realize the baby has blood running down her mouth, down her shirt,” Wealthy stated. “I’m thinking, ‘Baby’s not crying, baby’s not blue, so what’s going on?’”
The girl didn’t communicate English. She tried frantically to clarify—however there was no time for phrases. With out hesitation, Wealthy jumped into motion.
“I flipped her over, started patting her on the back, trying to calm her. The mom is yelling and screaming,” he stated. “I kept patting her, and a couple [of] minutes later, we realized she had taken a barrette from her hair and put it in her mouth. It popped open.”
One other officer arrived simply in time to help.
“As I’m laying her down, we could finally see the barrette,” Wealthy stated. “Eventually, I hit her again—and he caught the barrette as it fell out.”
Due to Wealthy’s quick pondering and calm below strain, the child is alive and effectively in the present day.
When Officer Wealthy accepted his award, he wasn’t alone. His six younger daughters walked on stage beside him—a lovely and emotional reminder of the lives officers are sworn to guard, each at dwelling and on responsibility.
“This is just a small snapshot of what everyone is doing,” Wealthy stated. “Of what all the officers are doing out there every day.”
Wealthy was one among dozens of officers honored for heroic actions, from stopping a suicide try at Harry Reid Worldwide Airport to unraveling a fancy murder-for-hire case.
