Fish & Game officer honored for heroic effort at Saltmarsh Pond

Three New Hampshire Fish and Game Conservation Officers were recently honored for outstanding performance — Michael G. Eastman of Gilford, Samuel P. Sprague of Whitefield and Christopher J. Egan of Pittsburg. "It is my distinct pleasure to congratulate our officers for earning these prestigious awards, which recognize their strong work ethic and initiative during the past year and efforts that have saved lives," said Major Tim Acerno, Fish and Game's Acting Law Enforcement Chief.

Conservation Officer Eastman received the Director's Award from the New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Academy for his heroic efforts that saved the life of a distraught woman. Each year, the Academy recognizes officers who go beyond the normal patrol routine in an effort to stop illegal activity. This award, however, honors officers for activity beyond the call of duty; only two other officers in New Hampshire have earned this distinction.

On November 7, 2007, Eastman was on patrol with a Conservation Officer trainee. The two officers drove into a public Fish and Game boat access facility on Saltmarsh Pond to check fishing and boating activity. As they entered the area, Eastman noticed a sport-utility vehicle parked at the access site with a woman inside wearing a wedding dress. Eastman spoke to the woman, suspicious that something was not right. The woman appeared distraught and Eastman feared she might attempt to take her own life. The woman referred to "seeing the pond for the last time." When she reached behind the driver's seat, Eastman noticed what appeared to be illegal drugs inside the vehicle.

In an attempt to control the situation, Eastman opened the driver's side door and asked her to exit the vehicle. She refused, saying that she "wanted to die." When the despondent woman suddenly shifted the vehicle into gear and attempted to drive away, Eastman's arm was trapped inside the vehicle door. He managed to free his arm from the accelerating vehicle and returned to his cruiser. The woman spun her car around and drove straight toward Eastman's vehicle. Relying on his experience and training, Eastman maneuvered his vehicle out of the path of the speeding SUV, which then plunged into the pond and began to sink.

Eastman quickly directed the trainee and two bystanders to a nearby boat and rowed out to the sinking vehicle. When they reached the vehicle, the officer successfully pulled the still distraught and struggling woman to safety.

Throughout this dangerous situation, Eastman maintained a calm yet commanding presence and made split-second decisions that enabled him to effectively counter the assault and thwart the despondent woman's attempt to take her own life.