On June 10th, 2025, Mishawaka Police Officers Tyler Thornton and Bradley Taylor were awarded an Indiana State Police Lifesaving Award for risking their lives by pulling a female driver from her burning vehicle.
Officer Thornton and Officer Taylor were publicly honored for their extraordinary conduct in saving a human life. Saving a life takes dedication, skill, and bravery. Thorton and Taylor are prime examples of Mishawaka heroism.
At approximately 11:20 pm, Indiana Senior State Trooper Brian Robbins was patrolling the City of Mishawaka when he discovered that Mishawaka Police Officers were pursuing a vehicle, and Robbins quickly acted to assist in the pursuit.
Shortly after, the female driving the pursued vehicle lost control. She left the roadway and crashed. She had sustained life-threatening injuries, and her vehicle caught on fire.
As Senior Trooper Robbins arrived on scene, Mishawaka Police Officers Tyler Thornton and Bradley Taylor were actively working to save the female’s life. Robbins witnessed the two Mishawaka Officers pulling the female out of her burning vehicle, and once the driver was successfully out of the vehicle, the driver was found unresponsive with no pulse. Officers Thornton and Bradley quickly began CPR, and Senior Trooper Robbins attempted to extinguish the car fire.
Senior Trooper Robbins then retrieved his AED from his commission and connected the AED to the unresponsive female. With the AED connected as well as the CPR, the female’s pulse could be found, and the female started breathing.
The female driver survived the deadly crash and is actively recovering from the life-threatening injuries.
When Senior Trooper Robbins recalls that night he says, “these officers and their performance was nothing more than outstanding.”
Officer Thornton and Officer Taylor were publicly honored for their extraordinary conduct in saving a human life.
“I think it goes to show towards their moral, professional character that despite this young lady’s criminal past and her decision to run from the police that night and ended up in a crash,” states Indiana State Police Sergeant Mick Dockery. “That didn’t affect their decision to run towards danger and pull her out and save her life.”
Officer Thornton and Officer Taylor are prime examples of the heroes protecting Mishawaka’s community every day. The City of Mishawaka applauds Officers Tyler Thornton and Bradley Taylor for their dedication and bravery to protecting the citizens of Mishawaka.
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