OFFICER's Favorite Heroic Police Stories of 2025: Daring Rescues, Compassionate Help and a Tale of Survival

The end of the year is a perfect time for reflection, and News Editor Joe Vince and retired Lt. Frank Borelli using the change in the calendar to look back at our favorite stories of law enforcement valor in 2025.

Those examples of heroism that they are spotlighting include the following:

• A dramatic hostage rescue by Florida deputies, who saved a boy who was being choked by a knife-wielding man in a helmet.
• An Arizona police officer who fought past flames to rescue a firefighter's daughter from a burning car.
• This time, it's bystanders doing the rescuing when citizens rushed to help a Tesxas deputy hanging from an overpass following a crash.
• A quick-thinking New Mexico State Police trooper found a creative way to use a ladder and a backhoe to save a family after fast-moving flood waters flipped their car.
• A Georgia deputy and police officer provided a compassionate rescue of sorts by helping a homeless couple and their dogs ahead of bad weather.
• A Missouri police officer was shot four times while trying to detain a domestic violence suspect, and he recalls his survival and road to recovery.

More Year-End Podcasts

Our Favorite Feel-Good Police Stories of 2025 Feature Hugs, Angels and 'Stolen' Ice Cream

• This special podcast episode looks back at the feel-good law enforcement stories of 2025, sharing examples of officers' compassion and kindness that will have you grabbing a tissue by the end. Check out what stories we featured.