A trio of Enumclaw police officers were recently honored with their department’s Life-Saving Award, resulting from their actions following an automobile accident in town.

Honored for their actions were Erik Vance, Kim-Xaun Brewer and Steve Howerton.

Appearing before the Enumclaw City Council on April 8, Police Chief Bob Huebler explained that the lifesaving actions followed a single-car crash on Griffin Avenue. It was Oct. 29, 2018, when a driver left the road and wound up in a residential lawn. A 911 call at the time noted it was uncertain if the victim was breathing.

Huebler said the officers quickly arrived on the scene and “determined the driver was in medical distress.”

Discovering the car’s doors were locked, Brewer had to smash a side window. Vance pulled the injured driver from the vehicle and Howerton checked vital signs. Vance began chest compressions and Brewer aided breathing with a “CPR mask.”

Emergency medical responders arrived and assisted the patient for approximately one hour before she was transported to a regional hospital.

Another member of the EPD, Sgt. Jon Buss, drove the victim’s husband to the hospital.

Huebler said the award was presented due to the “immediate and decisive actions by the officers, including CPR.” The award is given to those who “save or prolong another’s life.”

In this case, it was the latter scenario. The crash victim died four days following the accident. A written statement provided by Huebler noted, “These actions enabled the family to be with the victim and say goodbyes at the time of passing.”

Presentation of the Enumclaw Police Department’s Life-Saving Award involves an internal review and final approval by the chief.