Newton police officer earns national award

A Newton police officer has been given a national award for his actions to save a life by rescuing a kidnapping victim last year.

Sgt. Jason Thompson was on patrol on I-135 on Jan. 23, 2015, when he stopped a vehicle matching the description of a vehicle stolen in Texas, Newton public information officer Erin McDaniel said in a prepared statement.

The initial story given by the vehicle’s occupants was not believable, so Thompson investigated further. He eventually learned the driver had taken the vehicle at gunpoint, then forced the owner into the car against her will, handcuffing and blindfolding her.

Thompson took the driver into custody and rescued the woman from her vehicle. Thompson was presented the award last week at the National Interdiction Conference in Reno, Nev.

“This is a true honor to have one of our Newton Police Officers receive this type of national attention,” Police Chief Eric Murphy said in a prepared statement.

This story was originally published March 23, 2016 at 6:50 AM with the headline "Newton police officer earns national award."