Bystander rescues Snohomish Co. undersheriff from river
ARLINGTON, Wash. -- A bystander rescued from the Stillaguamish River a man later identified as Snohomish County Undersheriff Tom Davis.
Arlington police responded to a report of a man in the river near the Twin Rivers Park, located in the 400 block of E. Burke Ave., around 10:30 a.m. Sunday. They arrived to learn the bystander had managed to pull the man out of the water.
Davis was taken to Cascade Valley Medical Center where he was treated and released.
It was not immediately clear how the undersheriff had ended up in the water.
"Due to the nature of the incident, both Undersheriff Davis and the bystander who rescued him have declined to respond to any media interviews at this time.," said the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office in a written statement.
Davis himself released the following statement:
"My family and I are extremely grateful for the quick actions taken by everyone involved yesterday…from the bystander who helped me from the river to the aid units who responded so quickly. I cannot thank them enough."
Arlington police responded to a report of a man in the river near the Twin Rivers Park, located in the 400 block of E. Burke Ave., around 10:30 a.m. Sunday. They arrived to learn the bystander had managed to pull the man out of the water.
Davis was taken to Cascade Valley Medical Center where he was treated and released.
It was not immediately clear how the undersheriff had ended up in the water.
"Due to the nature of the incident, both Undersheriff Davis and the bystander who rescued him have declined to respond to any media interviews at this time.," said the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office in a written statement.
Davis himself released the following statement:
"My family and I are extremely grateful for the quick actions taken by everyone involved yesterday…from the bystander who helped me from the river to the aid units who responded so quickly. I cannot thank them enough."
According to other news reports the undersheriff went in after his dog. Both are ok now.
glad the undersheriff didn't go under, that's the most important
Sounds like somebody is a bit embarrassed..... quick sweep it under the rug. Just curious..... Was alcohol a factor or was it a foolish accident?
and why is the sheriff calling him a bystander? he didn't just stand by like the term "bystander" suggests. he put his butt on the line to save tom's life. suck up your pride, admit the undersheriff is actually just a human capable of making a mistake, and call the "bystander" what he really is, a HERO!
@dorimonsonfan While not explained very clearly, I think the writer used the term bystander to indicate the person wasn't with the man; he happened to be nearby when the undersheriff went, well, under.Â
"Due to the nature of the incident" sounds more disturbing than what probably happened; as you pointed out he should just man up and say what it was.Â
Again from the rather unclear wording, it sounds like they're also protecting the active bystander from embarrassment for whatever reason.Â
why can't the sheriff name the "bystander!?" give a little credit to the brave man and buy him a beer for pete's sake!
@dorimonsonfan I am guessing the Under-Sheriff bribed the "bystander" to keep quiet.  I hope the responding units or hospital gave the Under-Sheriff a sobriety/blood test.