Lubbock Police Release Dramatic Dash Cam Video, Officer Saves Woman's Life
By: Rachel Spangenthal
Updated: September 19, 2012
Lubbock Police Officers responded to an accident Monday morning at 19th and Memphis. Little did they know they were minutes away from a second accident, that would put their lives on the line.
"While they were on the scene of that accident, another vehicle came along and collided with one of the police vehicles that was out there. That, in turn, sent that vehicle into the path of the officers who were working another vehicle," said Sgt. Jonathan Stewart.
Just inches away, the two Police officers and a third person. You can see in the video, taken from a police cruiser's dash camera, the van and another police car flying towards them. Officer Philip Standefer pushes the woman out of the way.
"He put his own safety to the side and made sure the person he was protecting was safe at his own risk so I think that is something that you could term a hero," said Sgt. Stewart.
The driver of the van, Peter Keltz, was arrested and charged with intoxication assault. Sgt. Stewart said officers often mentally prepare for situations like this.
"And tell themselves, 'Okay, if something were to happen right now, what would I do?'. Anybody who was in that situation and if they had had that opportunity, they would have reacted the same way, and they would have been happy to put someone else before themselves, and take that response," said Sgt. Stewart.
Officer Standefer was taken to the hospital for treatment and released shortly after. Sgt. Stewart said he expects the Officer to return to work soon. The woman who fell was also treated for minor injuries.
"While they were on the scene of that accident, another vehicle came along and collided with one of the police vehicles that was out there. That, in turn, sent that vehicle into the path of the officers who were working another vehicle," said Sgt. Jonathan Stewart.
Just inches away, the two Police officers and a third person. You can see in the video, taken from a police cruiser's dash camera, the van and another police car flying towards them. Officer Philip Standefer pushes the woman out of the way.
"He put his own safety to the side and made sure the person he was protecting was safe at his own risk so I think that is something that you could term a hero," said Sgt. Stewart.
The driver of the van, Peter Keltz, was arrested and charged with intoxication assault. Sgt. Stewart said officers often mentally prepare for situations like this.
"And tell themselves, 'Okay, if something were to happen right now, what would I do?'. Anybody who was in that situation and if they had had that opportunity, they would have reacted the same way, and they would have been happy to put someone else before themselves, and take that response," said Sgt. Stewart.
Officer Standefer was taken to the hospital for treatment and released shortly after. Sgt. Stewart said he expects the Officer to return to work soon. The woman who fell was also treated for minor injuries.
