MILWAUKEE — On Sunday, a Milwaukee church honored a police officer for his quick thinking that likely saved one of their member’s lives.
The two had an emotional reunion during Sunday’s service. Typically on Sundays, the congregation at Mt. Zion Assembly Healing Temple takes time to thank God.
This Sunday, they also took time to thank a Milwaukee police officer for saving one of their own.
Back in June, Milwaukee police officer Eric Santiago helped saved the life of a teen who was shot during a Juneteenth celebration. During the service, they got a chance to meet for the first time since the incident.
During Milwaukee’s Juneteenth celebration this year gunfire broke out. Seventeen-year-old Nariah Jones was shot twice, once in her leg and once in her neck. At church, she got in front of the congregation to share what that experience was like for her.
“It felt like an earthquake and I fell,” Jones said. “I started crying and yelling out for help,”
Officer Santiago heard her cries for help and came running to her aid. On that day, Officer Santiago had only been on the job for about two months, and said he put his training to use in the high-stress situation.
He sprung into action and held pressure on her wounds until she got to the hospital.
For the first time since the incident, Jones got the chance to hug Santiago and thank him for helping save her life.
“It’s been a life-changing process,” Jones said. “I really thank God for this day. I had thought this day would come when I asked him what his name was in the ambulance. I knew I was going to thank him one day for this.”
Santiago said it was emotional to be able to see Jones healing and back on her feet.
“I was very excited to see her and see the progress she’s made,” Santiago said. “I obviously saw her at her worst and to see her smiling here today, with the support of crutches; but walking, it really is truly amazing.”
The two now share a bond. Jones told Santiago she’s thankful for his help and will never forget what he did for her that day.
“He really is a gift from God,” Jone said. “I don’t know where I would be if he just wasn’t there when I was laying down begging for help.”
They both said it was a day they will never forget. For Santiago, it was a moment that defined the beginning of his career. For Jones, it was a day she got a second chance at life.