Georgia Officer Rescues Teen from Burning Truck

Officer Blake Puckett realized 18-year-old Laurel Putnam strapped in her seatbelt and unconscious.

March 9, 2021

Officer Blake Puckett realized the teenager was stuck in her seatbelt and unconscious. He pulled out his knife and cut her free. (Photo: WSB Screen Shot)

A Georgia police officer is being credited with rescuing a teenager from a burning truck Saturday night on Highway 53 in Floyd County.

Officer Blake Puckett realized 18-year-old Laurel Putnam strapped in her seatbelt and unconscious. He pulled out his knife and cut her free right before flames engulfed the truck.

Police said a drunk, wrong-way driver hit the teen’s truck head-on, WSB reports.

Editorial

College Degrees Designed for Police Officers

College Degrees Designed for Police Officers

How E-Signature is Helping Police Departments Achieve Their Goals

Virtra Police Mag Landing Page Thumbnail

Raise the SCORE of Your Training Program

375x480 Police Mag Ad Accountability

Do You Practice These 3 Accountable Leadership Guidelines?

Judge Denies Bail for Man Accused of Killing Chicago Officer

Police said Steven Montano, 18, ran away from police as the officer chased after him, and that's when, prosecutors said, the two exchanged gunfire. Officer Vasquez-Lasso was shot five times, and died from his wounds.

Chicago Officer Andres Vasquez-Lasso was shot and killed March 1 while pursuing a domestic violence suspect.

WA Detective Shot, Critically Wounded During Eviction

All three detectives were wearing ballistic vests, but a bullet reportedly missed the vest of one officer and struck him in the upper torso.

OK Officer Dies of Injuries from Head-On Crash During Escort of Fallen Officer’s Body

Authorities say Martin Rivas Rodriguez was driving a black Ford pickup when it crossed the center line and hit Officer Barlow's vehicle head-on.

FL Deputy Shot 3 Times in Ambush Walks Out of Hospital

Law enforcement, barking K9s, and loved ones were lined up on each side of the exit Friday as Cpl. Aitken walked slowly toward an undercover patrol car, taking deep breaths. Before he entered the front passenger seat, he turned toward his peers in uniform

Wounded K-9 Handler Cpl. Matthew Aitken walks out of the hospital with his daughter and accompanied by Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri.

MI Police Release Video of Fatal Shooting Inside Police Station

Police in Dearborn, MI, released video as part of a critical incident briefing related to an officer-involved shooting inside the police station lobby in December.

A front desk officer confronts an armed gunman who entered the lobby in December.

10 Tips for Starting a Drone as First Responder Program

Sgt. Dustin Bruzee, UAS/DFR supervisor at the Chula Vista Police Department, shares tips that can help any department that plans to start a Drone as First Responder Program.

The Chula Vista Police Department (CA) was the first agency to create a Drone as First Responder program and now other departments wanting to follow suit often reach out for advice.

Best Practices for Training with Simulators

Simulators are no longer just firearms practice for officers. The provided courses can teach duty to intervene, de-escalation, dealing with mental health calls, even facing infectious diseases, or interacting with individuals on the autism spectrum.

Modern training simulators allow use of red dots and other sight systems.

DART Removes Common Barriers to Firearms Training

Digimation's DART provides options for police while overcoming barriers to training.

DART can convert any area, even small spaces, into a training range.

POLICE Vehicle Spotlight: Chevrolet Silverado PPV

Chevy’s pursuit-rated pickup is available with a two-inch life for off-road duty, but it’s also well equipped for street work.

The Chevrolet Silverado PPV is built for patrol in all weather conditions.

MO Detective Killed, Officer Wounded in Store Shooting

The suspect was taken into custody Monday afternoon by a police tactical team that used a robot, a drone, flash-bangs, and tear gas.

Hermann, MO, police Detective Sgt. Mason Griffith was killed Sunday night in a shooting at a local convenience store.

Drones on Patrol

Georgia department uses Drone as First Responder program to reach incident locations quickly and give officers an eye in the sky.

The Brookhaven Police Department (GA) became the first in the southeastern United States to launch a Drone as First Responder program.

3 LAPD Officers Shot by Barricaded Parolee

According to sources at the hospital, one officer was shot in the arm, another shot in the vest and has shrapnel in his abdomen, and the third was shot in the elbow.

Page 1 of 2303