Bulletin Notes

Law enforcement officers are challenged daily in the performance of their duties; they face each encounter freely and unselfishly while answering the call to duty. In certain instances, their actions warrant special attention from their respective departments. The Bulletin also wants to recognize those situations that transcend the normal rigors of the law enforcement profession.

One afternoon, Sergeant Daniel Cox of the Alaska State Troopers was dispatched to the location of an individual who had an active warrant for his arrest. Trooper Bruce Brueggeman also heard the call for service and responded, arriving before Sergeant Cox. He tried to approach the subject, but a chase ensued until the man turned, shot the trooper in the arm multiple times, and ran away.

Sergeant Cox arrived on scene shortly after and ran over to help Trooper Brueggeman. The sergeant gave the tourniquet he always carries to a bystander and explained how to place it on the trooper’s arm. Meanwhile, he radioed for emergency medical personnel, supplied details on how they could arrive safely, and gave updates on Trooper Brueggemann’s condition. The trooper was transported to the hospital and eventually airlifted to a trauma center.

The subject was apprehended after an all-night manhunt. During the search, Sergeant Cox supplied knowledge of the local area to over 70 law enforcement officers who participated. 

The following day, an emergency room doctor informed the Alaska State Troopers that had a tourniquet not been placed on Trooper Brueggemann’s arm, he would have succumbed to his injuries.

Sergeant Daniel Cox

Sergeant Daniel Cox

Nominations for the Bulletin Notes should be based on either the rescue of one or more citizens or an arrest(s) made at unusual risk to an officer’s safety. Submissions should include a short write-up, a separate photograph of each nominee, and a letter from the department’s ranking officer endorsing the nomination. Submissions can be emailed to leb@fbi.gov.