The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) on January 23 announced Officer Sara Howell of the Ridley Township, Pennsylvania, Police Department as its Officer of the Month for December 2024. Officer Howell was selected for her heroic actions in rescuing a driver trapped in his vehicle after it was struck by a train and caught fire.

On December 18, 2024, Officer Howell, disregarding significant risk to her own safety, reached into the backseat and dragged the trapped victim out of the vehicle just as it became fully engulfed in flames. She then moved the victim away from the vehicle, allowing medics to provide the emergency medical aid he needed.

“Officer Howell’s extraordinary bravery and selflessness in the face of immediate danger are a testament to the commitment and courage displayed by law enforcement officers every day,” NLEOMF CEO William Alexander said. “Her actions embody what it means to serve and protect, and we are honored to recognize her as our Officer of the Month for December 2024.”

The Officer of the Month Award Program is sponsored by the Police Unity Tour and recognizes federal, state and local officers who distinguish themselves through exemplary law enforcement service and devotion to duty.

—www.NLEOMF.org—

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund

Established in 1984, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring the fallen, telling the story of American law enforcement, and making it safer for those who serve. The first pillar of this mission, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., honors the names of all the 24,067 officers who have died in the line of duty to date throughout U.S. history. Additionally, NLEOMF maintains and publishes comprehensive details on the circumstances surrounding official line-of-duty deaths. The Officer Safety and Wellness pillar uses that data, coupled with best-practice program models, to produce programming directed at solutions to improve survivability and enhance wellness. NLEOMF’s third pillar, the National Law Enforcement Museum (LawEnforcementMuseum.org) is committed to preserving the history of American law enforcement and sharing the experiences of service and sacrifice for generations to come.

Since 2014, the National Fallen Law Enforcement Officers Flower Fund has sent a floral arrangement to the funeral services of every officer who has been killed in the line of duty. This initiative, which has served as the cornerstone of the charity, has sent more than 2,000 arrangements on behalf of its members, costing over $500,000.

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