Woman Slitting Her Own Throat Saved by Deputy

Press release from Humboldt Co. Sheriff’s Office:

WHITETHORN – A Humboldt County Sheriff’s Deputy was called to a residence in Whitethorn Saturday morning after a man reported a woman there had a butcher’s knife and had barricaded herself in her room.  Deputy Robert Hamilton responded to the call and arrived at the house on the 1200 block of A Road at about 9:30 a.m.  When he entered the house he encountered an intoxicated man seated in a chair.  The man told Deputy Hamilton the woman was “back there,” and gestured toward the back of the house.  As Deputy Hamilton walked down the hall toward the bedrooms, a woman holding a knife emerged from a room and took several steps toward the deputy.  Deputy Hamilton ordered her to drop the knife.  The woman retreated back into a bedroom, still holding the knife, and locked the bedroom door.  Deputy Hamilton ran to the door and heard gurgling noises coming from the bedroom.  Believing that the woman had injured herself, Deputy Hamilton kicked the locked door open and entered the bedroom.  When he entered the room he saw the woman actively cutting her throat, causing deep cuts.  Deputy Hamilton attempted to wrestle the knife from the woman but she continued to fight with him while continuing to cut her throat.  The cuts were deep enough that they caused blood to spray as the woman coughed and breathed.  Although covered in her blood, Deputy Hamilton got the knife from her and attempted to stop the bleeding while waiting for medical personnel to arrive.  Deputy Hamilton applied direct pressure to the woman’s injuries, at first with his hands and then using nearby towels.  The woman continued to fight with Deputy Hamilton until a second deputy arrived to assist him.  Members of the Whitethorn Volunteer Fire Department arrived and continued first aid efforts until the woman was taken by ambulance to a local hospital.  The woman was eventually flown out of the area for surgery and further treatment.  Although exposed to blood, Deputy Hamilton was uninjured.

“Deputy Hamilton’s actions are to be commended.  When he was faced with imminent danger, he demonstrated a willingness to save another, even while putting himself at risk,” said Sheriff Gary Philp. “Throughout this call for service, Deputy Hamilton distinguished himself through his quick assessment of the situation and his life-saving performance.”

I’m impressed with Hamilton’s response!

I believe Hamilton is the resident deputy out in the Shelter Cove area.  Because of the long distances sheriff’s must travel to get to rural areas, often they arrive long after the crisis through no fault of their own. Because he lives roughly near where this happened, he was able to be there in time to help.

He was a hero here!

Photo courtesy of the Sheriff’s Dept.  (Thanks, Brenda!)

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18 Comments
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tj
Guest
tj
13 years ago

I’ve heard good things about this deputy from some folks in the cove. Way to go Mr. Hamilton! Prayers of soul healing going up for the woman. So sad.

Deputy Hamilton
Guest
Deputy Hamilton
13 years ago
Reply to  tj

TJ, Thank you very much.

bluelaker4
Guest
bluelaker4
13 years ago

My first thought is to pray hard that the woman had no diseases that could infect Deputy Hamilton. My second thought is praise for him. And my third thought is that the woman will get the help she needs, both physically and emotionally. What a ghastly thing he walked in on. And then there is the intoxicated male just sitting there doing nothing…

Deputy Hamilton
Guest
Deputy Hamilton
13 years ago
Reply to  bluelaker4

Thank you for your kind words. I can only say it was like walking into a horror movie, but live! I had intital blood panels done for Hep C and HIV as a base line. We’ll see what happens later. I hope too that she will get the help she really needs. This kind of stuff is always so sad and hard to go through. Thank you again.

Staff
Member
13 years ago

Deputy Hamilton,

I’ve also heard from people how much the locals in your area appreciate having you there.

I hope all is well with you and stays that way.

Thank you for being there for that poor woman. My heart aches for her pain. I hope she finds a reason to be glad she is alive.

Dave
Guest
13 years ago

My hat is off to Dep. Hamilton. I’m impressed at how well he handled such a terrible situation.
This is the kind of story I’d love to see in the newspaper.
All too often, law enforcement officials are viewed negatively. His actions demonstrated his experience and savvy while saving the woman’s life.

I hope the woman recovers, physically and mentally, and some day realizes what Hamiton did for her. Good karma everywhere.

humboldtkids
Guest
humboldtkids
13 years ago
Reply to  Dave

Fiance here: this story is in the Eureka paper…just not as well written as Kym’s. Now if Deputy Hamilton would just give Sgt. S. a lesson in how to treat people………..

Staff
Member
13 years ago
Reply to  humboldtkids

I’d like to claim the vivid description but I took it verbatim from the press release;>

humboldtkids
Guest
humboldtkids
13 years ago
Reply to  Staff

LOL, Maybe the ETS should have done the same. They “edited” it and it got sort of convoluted.

Ernie's Place
Guest
13 years ago

Having worked with Hamilton on a few mutual-aid medical calls, I readily made note of his compassion for people. Way to go Deputy!

Ernie's Place
Guest
13 years ago

Having worked with Hamilton on a few mutual-aid medical calls, I readily made note of his compassion for people. Way to go Deputy!

Laura Carr
Guest
13 years ago

Oh. This hurts. The level of pain people are living now is heartbreaking. Thank Goddess for people (Dep. Hamilton and the whole crew of Rescue) who are willing to be of service. Blessings on the wounded (most of us?) as they crawl back up.

Laura Carr
Guest
13 years ago

Oh. This hurts. The level of pain people are living now is heartbreaking. Thank Goddess for people (Dep. Hamilton and the whole crew of Rescue) who are willing to be of service. Blessings on the wounded (most of us?) as they crawl back up.

olmanriver
Guest
olmanriver
13 years ago

Deputy Hamilton,
You are a good courageous man and deputy…. thank you for being good example of both.
In and ideal world you would get extra time off as a reward, maybe a B&B with a hot tub…
Thanks for being willing to put your life on the line, and a big heart-shout to those volunteer emergency personnel upon which we rurals depend so.

olmanriver
Guest
olmanriver
13 years ago

Deputy Hamilton,
You are a good courageous man and deputy…. thank you for being good example of both.
In and ideal world you would get extra time off as a reward, maybe a B&B with a hot tub…
Thanks for being willing to put your life on the line, and a big heart-shout to those volunteer emergency personnel upon which we rurals depend so.