Department of Public Safety Officer Thomas Hermens had no idea he would find himself in a life and death situation during his last days training as an officer last year, but when a man attacked him and another officer he faced that reality.
Hermens and Cpl. Chris Rouse received a Medal of Valor for Distinguished Service Saturday afternoon at the DPS Awards Ceremony held in the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art. DPS also honored community members Charlie Smith and Jim Proel for their part in helping Rouse and Hermens subdue a man.
On March 18, 2006, Hermens contacted a man, later to be identified as 52-year-old Terry Blankenship, for taking cans from a garbage bin near the Millrace. Hermens said officers typically warn canners and explain University polices on collecting cans.
Hermens reported the man’s information to dispatch. Meanwhile, Rouse started driving from the School of Music and Dance on the other side of campus toward Hermens.
After Rouse arrived, Blankenship wouldn’t take his hands out of his pockets after repeated requests. Rouse said he knew there might be trouble. The officers tried handcuffing Blankenship, and the suspect struck the officers. All three slid down a bank toward the creek, according to the DPS report.
“The next thing I know, I’m underwater,” Rouse said. Blankenship held him on his back. “I knew I had so much air, so I was thinking of what to do next.”
Rouse said he considered cutting the tendons on Blankenship’s wrist.
Blankenship let go of Rouse, and the corporal rose out of the water. He said he saw Blankenship holding Hermens underwater, his back toward Rouse. Hermens’ face was purple and his nose was bleeding.
“I had thoughts of my wife and son and I was very scared that I wasn’t going to make it home,” Hermens wrote in the DPS report. “I thought I was going to die.”
Rouse said he was reminded Hermens was his trainee, and thought he might have to kill Blankenship.
Rouse said he used “Herculean” strength to keep Blankenship in a chokehold, and Blankenship finally let go of Hermens, who then jumped on Blankenship.
“I have immense respect and admiration for (Hermens),” Rouse said. “He could have turned and run, but he got right back in the fight.”
Smith, the principal at Kennedy Middle School, was jogging on a nearby path. He said he thought a dog was splashing in the water, but when he noticed what was going on, he asked if the officers needed help. Shortly after, bicyclist Jim Proel also came to help.
After blasts of pepper spray, the four men subdued Blankenship shortly before Eugene police arrived.
“I didn’t know it was unusual for citizens to get involved like that,” Smith said. “I just knew they needed help.”
Proel wasn’t able to attend Saturday’s ceremony.
After the incident, Rouse said he had trouble talking about what happened and couldn’t sleep. Hermens said he had nightmares. Both said University and DPS administrators helped them find help to recover.
“You change. You can’t help but change after something like that,” Rouse said.
Smith said he’s thankful for DPS officers.
“Every single day you guys go out there and put your lives on the line and you don’t get thanked enough,” Smith told the crowd.
DPS Business Manger Jennifer Creighton-Neiwert, who helped organized the ceremony, said she hopes the ceremony happens again next year to honor DPS employees.
Lt. Herb Horner said he believes this is the first time DPS has ever awarded a Medal of Valor for Distinguished Service.
“I hope this situation never happens again, but I think we all understand, in this line of work it can,” Horner said.
He told the crowd of DPS employees he needs to thank his co-workers more often.
“I don’t want to take any of you for granted anymore,” Horner said. “We have to acknowledge – all of us in this uniform – we are one.”
Contact the crime, health and safety reporter at [email protected]
Two DPS officers recognized for selfless service
Daily Emerald
May 13, 2007
Brenna Cheyney
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