A member of the Estevan Police Service (EPS) is being hailed as a hero, but for him, it was just part of a day’s work.
Cst. Landon Polk pulled a 69-year-old woman from a smoke-filled apartment at Trinity Tower on March 14. Polk was working at a hit-and-run clinic hosted by the EPS and Saskatchewan General Insurance (SGI) at the SGI claims centre on Fifth Street when police and other first responders were notified of the alarm call at Trinity Tower.
He promptly headed to the building, which is just a few blocks away.
“When I arrived, I was met by a female outside,” Polk recalled in an interview with the Mercury.
The woman he encountered told Polk there was an unresponsive woman on the sixth floor of the tower.
“I went to the trunk of my police vehicle and grabbed our fire extinguisher,” said Polk. “I ran up the six flights of stairs and found her room, where the smoke was
coming out of.
“I forced my way into the apartment and found the elderly female unconscious on the floor. I tried to wake her by giving a sternal rub, which is pressing on her breast bone with your fingers, trying to get her to wake up.”
She wasn’t reviving, so Polk picked her up, took her outside the apartment and placed her in the elevator with another elderly female. From there, paramedics tended to the elderly woman.
“I went back into the apartment to make sure nobody else was in there,“ said Polk. “Once the apartment was cleared, I just stayed outside, making sure nobody else entered the apartment.”
He also opened the windows of the apartment to help rid the apartment of the smoke.
Meanwhile, Estevan Fire Rescue Services members were able to clear the building of smoke and determined that no hot spots remained.
The fire department further examined the scene and determined the source to be cooking. The woman was treated on scene by firefighters and Estevan Emergency Medical Services personnel, and then she was transported to hospital for further examination. She remained in hospital for several days.
Polk visited the woman while she was still in the hospital. His visit came a few days after the incident, and she was in much better condition than she was after the incident.
“She actually offered to take my wife and me out for supper once she gets a little bit better,” Polk said.
Polk brushed aside the claims that he did something special, and said he was just doing his job.
“I think anybody would have done what I did,” said Polk. “It wasn’t anything crazy, at least I don’t think it was.”
A situation like the one he encountered isn’t part of the training he received at police college in Regina, but he had to do whatever it took to make sure everyone was safe. There was a risk, entering a situation like that, but he had to do what was necessary.
He didn’t suffer any smoke inhalation during the rescue.
Polk said it was fortunate that he was able to respond so quickly. He knew that due to his proximity to the scene, he would likely be the first on the scene.
Police Chief Paul Ladouceur said the people of Estevan should be proud of its police officers. And when an employee does something truly extraordinary, they deserve recognition, particularly when it comes to the possibility of saving a life.
In a situation like that, Ladouceur believes it’s fair to call them a hero.
“I’m a little bit biased, because I think police officers in general are very heroic in the profession that they choose and the work that they do in our communities throughout this country day in and day out,” said Ladouceur.
“While he says he’s just doing his job, and it’s part of what he’s paid to do, certainly I think the community needs to know about this action on behalf of this officer, and I think he deserves a … response from our community.”
Ladouceur has seen other officers save lives and act bravely during his policing career. He has seen first responders pull people from burning vehicles and frigid waters, and he’s seen people rescue children who weren’t breathing.
“It’s a tough line, because police are paid to do a job, and they’re expected to do a job, and that’s what the public pays us for is to get ourselves in harm’s way when needed, and to do what we need to do to make sure our communities are safe,” said Ladouceur.
In recent months, Ladouceur noted officers have responded well to numerous potentially adverse situations.
“On a daily basis, these members are doing outstanding things, and I don’t think nearly enough are recognized for some of the acts that they do,” said Ladouceur.
Polk is a young member who has been part of the EPS for only four years, but the chief noted Polk didn’t hesitate about doing the right thing.
This isn’t the first time a member of the EPS has been credited for life-saving actions. In May 2012, Constable Steven Enns helped a family of four escape from their burning home in the 1200 block
of Sixth Street.
Enns has since been recognized with numerous life-saving awards and commendations.
