This content was published: March 6, 2017. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
New to the job, Officer Austin Herr uses training, experience to save a man’s life
Photos and story by James Hill
Last summer, Public Safety Officer Austin Herr was inspecting his patrol car at the Rock Creek Campus when it happened.
There was a loud bang. It was the unmistakable sound of cars colliding and metal crumpling. He knew immediately that it was a serious accident.
Though he was brand new to the job (a mere six months in) at Portland Community College, Herr leaped into action. Using his military experience and public safety training, he raced to Rock Creek’s Springville Road entrance where the sound of the collision emanated. As he drove up, he spotted the frightening two-car wreck.
“When I got there I saw the airbag powder floating out of one of the cars,” Herr recalled. “That’s when I knew it was really bad.”
No emergency vehicles were at the scene yet. He was the only first responder present. So, Herr quickly notified dispatch to get fire and medical rolling to the entrance as soon as possible.
But it would take a few more minutes before they could arrive. Herr rushed to help one victim who was trapped in his vehicle and had a serious head bleed. He quickly donned protective gloves and administered first aid to the man who was pinned by his steering wheel. Herr kept him talking and alert while applying pressure on his head to slow the blood.
“He started to hyperventilate, so I adjusted his head so he was more comfortable and applied the dressing to the wound,” Herr said. “I just wanted to stop him from going into shock.”
With help from a critical care nurse who also witnessed the wreck, both took turns assisting the victim until fire, police and medical units arrived. When the fire department got to the scene, it used the jaws of life to extricate the man. As emergency crews worked, Herr continued to help by directing traffic.
“Officer Herr showed compassion and quick decisive actions in rendering assistance to those who were in need during this awful situation,” said Derrick Foxworth, PCC’s Public Safety director.
As a result of the officer’s heroism, the victim he assisted made a full recovery. And, for his efforts, Herr was given the Western Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators Award for Valor this past winter.
“This all felt routine in a way, thanks to my training,” said the humbled Herr. “You don’t even stop to think. You just go because you want to help and get everyone out alive.”
Not bad for being on the job for less than a year.
“Austin is very compassionate, and after the accident he was very concerned about the individual he assisted,” said PCC Public Safety Sergeant Rick Rivera. “He loves his job and the college community.”
Rivera said all public safety officers receive training modeled after the Law Enforcement Field Training & Evaluation Program (FTEP). This ensures the officers respond to incidents in an empathetic and respectful manner. They’re trained to identify the problem, assess the situation and respond in the safest and most effective manner, he added.
Herr has the background to go with his training. He spent four years in the Army as an active duty soldier in Iraq and Afghanistan before spending an additional four years in the reserves, getting discharged in 2013.
“Nothing prepares you for something like this unless you have been in similar situations,” Herr added.
Afterward, he enrolled in PCC’s Aviation Science Program and earned his helicopter pilots license from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. However, because pressurization of flying caused him headaches, Herr switched careers, and instead became a public safety officer. Hired in late 2015, he’s become a fixture at the Cascade Campus in North Portland where he is known as the “Hipster Cop” due to his thick Ray Ban eyeglasses, pleasant demeanor and love of photography.
“Every day I meet new people which is fun,” Herr said. “People open up to me because I’m interested in learning more about them, and I think that comes across. It feels good to work for PCC.”About James Hill
James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »
Bravo Zulu, Austin Herr; that award is well-deserved. Thank you for your service, both military and Campus Security.
Good job.
Police officers do much more than write tickets and arrest people.
Really nice to see this great news here, It is good to see the kind nature of our police officers to remind people that they are human. So lucky that he was there to help, great job Austin.
Austin, you are such a awesome person already. Now your a life saver. Wow! Keep going and giving people trust in our protection here at PCC! I hope you the best. Happy that everyone in the situation is still alive.
Way to go Austin! I new you were that kind of person when I first met you when you were here at the Sylvania campus. You were so open and friendly and genuinely made me feel you were interested in me. I appreciated that about you ever since. I am the African American employee you met working at the Answer center. I am not surprised that you jumped into action to offer any and all help you could in that situation. I am proud to have met you! Keep up the good work.
Great story! Thank you for your service.
Great story of quick action in a difficult situation good job.
We need more people like this. People who are ready to jump into the action. This man is a hero, thank you for looking out for the students and faculty! This story gave me a little more hope in humanity. I feel safe at school knowing that he’s gonna be there if we’re in deep trouble.
Gnarly, rad and far out, dude! (Baby boomer speak). It is uplifting to hear the good things our Public Safety officers are doing on our campuses and centers. I work at WCC, and have seen our officers in action a number of times throughout the years. Amazing people doing a difficult job. They don’t get paid enough for what they do.
Thank you for your courage and quick thinking, Officer Herr. Thank you, also, for your service to our country. I really appreciate you and all of our campus police. Keep up the great work!
Good to see some police forces living up to their positive expectations. It makes me very happy to get to experience the good side of both humans and cops that so many are quick to forget.
Good job! Way to set an excellent example.
Thank you everyone for the kind words! Definitely made my day!
Austin… you are a credit to the Department of Public Safety.
It is so great to read stories like this. Good job and this is why more people should know first aid basics!
Looks like you found a good fit my old friend/associate. I remembered your name from flight lab all those years ago. Pretty cool to see you’re doing well.
Your photography is incredibly touching–it evokes the spirit of its subjects. Please do an exhibit at PCC!
I love our schools public safety officers Thank you for your service Austin I will say hello when I am on campus.