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 early morning, Officer Stephan Harder and Detective Jazzlynn Silva of the Quincy, Washington, Police Department responded to the scene of a reported structure fire. Upon their arrival, the residence was engulfed in flames and emitting thick, black smoke. An occupant of the home informed the officers that her mother was unconscious in the kitchen.

With the fire preventing access through the front entrance of the home, Officer Harder and Detective Silva went around the house and entered through the back door. Despite visibility of only 2 feet, the officers crawled on their hands and knees until they found the victim. Officer Harder pulled the unconscious woman to the back door, and, with help from Detective Silva, carried her to a safe location away from the burning house. 

The officers noticed the victim was not breathing and started CPR. Soon after, the woman was resuscitated and transported via ambulance to the local hospital. Medics treated Officer Harder and Detective Silva for smoke inhalation.

Officer Stephan Harder

Officer Stephan Harder

Detective Jazzlynn Silva

Detective Jazzlynn Silva

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.