Posted 3:07 am Tuesday, May 22, 2012
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Off-Duty Cop Saves Man’s Life
By KENNETH DEAN
Staff Writer
His police radio had been turned off, but for some reason, off-duty Tyler police officer Jason Compton decided to turn it on Saturday night on his way home from work.
Staff Writer
His police radio had been turned off, but for some reason, off-duty Tyler police officer Jason Compton decided to turn it on Saturday night on his way home from work.
What he heard as the radio crackled to life was that two blocks away a man had multiple stab wounds to the chest and was bleeding badly.
Compton made his way to the incident near Tanglewood Drive and South-Southeast Loop 323 and quickly learned the man had six stab wounds close to his heart and was in the middle of the street.
The officer, who joined the police force in 2011, said he went to his personal vehicle where he keeps an emergency medical kit.
Compton said the man's injuries were severe, and he had lost a large amount of blood.
Compton said the man's injuries were severe, and he had lost a large amount of blood.
“I used the quick clot, which promotes clotting of blood, and I was telling the citizens there on scene what to do and we all worked together,” he said. “He was already pale, which means a lot of blood loss and I knew the only thing I had to stop the bleeding was the quick clot, the gauze and my training.”
Compton said he loves being a police officer, because he has wanted to help others since he was a child.
Compton said he loves being a police officer, because he has wanted to help others since he was a child.
Assistant Chief Dianna Jackson said the department was proud of Compton, who was the agency’s 2011 Rookie of the Year.
“We’re proud of Officer Compton, he’s done a great job as an officer since he’s been here. He responded to the training he’s received and was able to help the gentleman who was in distress,” she said.
Compton said he did not know the man’s condition as of Monday.
When asked if he felt he was a hero for saving the man’s life, Compton responded, “The heroes are the ones overseas fighting the war right now. I was just in the right place at the right time with the right equipment.”
“We’re proud of Officer Compton, he’s done a great job as an officer since he’s been here. He responded to the training he’s received and was able to help the gentleman who was in distress,” she said.
Compton said he did not know the man’s condition as of Monday.
When asked if he felt he was a hero for saving the man’s life, Compton responded, “The heroes are the ones overseas fighting the war right now. I was just in the right place at the right time with the right equipment.”
