LEWISTON, ID - A Lewiston-based Idaho State Police Trooper was honored at an award ceremony yesterday for his efforts in saving a woman who had fallen in the Clearwater River. Corporal Pat Burke was presented with the ISP Life-Saving Award.
"When he arrived at the river, he quickly waded into the water and toward the frantic woman. As Cpl. Burke got closer to where the woman had been in the water, he saw her go completely under the water's surface. Cpl. Burke grabbed her leg and pulled her up to keep her head above the water. Cpl. Burke continued to hold the woman’s head above water until additional rescue and emergency services arrived to assist with her rescue," ISP says.
ISP says because Burke is a "pretty humble guy," the story of his life-saving actions might have gone completely without notice.
"Thanks to the help of the Nez Perce County’s Sheriff’s Office, who contacted Captain Adamson and explained without Cpl. Burke’s heroic efforts that day, the woman may not have survived," ISP says.
"During a ceremony held in his honor, Cpl. Burke very humbly credited God for putting him in the right place at the right time and noted that he didn’t do anything that day that any other member of the Idaho State Police would do in that situation," ISP says. "Cpl. Burke’s dedication and commitment to service is something he learned from his father, John Burke who served with ISP for over 25 years and was there to see Cpl. Burke received his Life-Saving Award."
"The men and women who serve with the Idaho State Police, like Cpl. Burke, chose a career of service to others. For this woman, that choice of service made the difference between life and death," ISP adds.
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