Officer crosses state line to save life

Arizona Department of Justice officer "Hank" Roanhorse was driving home from work recently when he spotted a car on some railroad tracks in McKinley County, New Mexico, which is across the state line. He was familiar with the area and knew the tracks carry a high volume of rail traffic, so he approached the vehicle and found the 56-year-old drive, Samson Whitegoat, slumped over the wheel, smelling strongly of alcohol. Roanhorse crawled into the vehicle to unbuckle Whitegoat's seatbelt as a train rounded a nearby curve.

                                                                                                  Arizona Department of Justice
Whitegoat regained consciousness and began fighting off the officer, but in spite of this, Roanhorsse was able to drag the 300-pound man about 15 feet from the tracks. Seconds later, the train hit the car  and threw if 150 feet. "Thank you, officer, you just saved my life," said Whitegoat, now sober.