Left to right -
Captain Robin Carlton
Mrs. Hester, Sgt. Phillip Hester,
Charles Andrews, CFE,
Tom Hamilton, CPP

On 03-03-2010, at 7:38AM, Sgt. Philip Hester, a patrol Sergeant and K-9 officer with the Clute Police Department, received a call in reference to a subject having drove his truck off Hwy 288B, at the Clute east city limits, and going into a canal. Upon Sgt. Hester's arrival, there were several people at the scene, with one subject in the water standing on the back of the truck, which was submerged with just the rear bumper of the truck above water.

Sgt. Hester dove into the water and worked trying to free the driver from the truck, and asked for something to break the window, which he was finally able to do, and then pulled the driver from the truck and the water. The driver was unconcious and not breathing, so Sgt. Hester applied chest compressions, and the subject started spitting out water and foaming at the mouth. Sgt. Hester continued the check compressions until the arrival of Clute EMS, who took over at that time. Sgt. Hester then dove back into the water and checked the truck to make sure there was no one else in the vehicle. The driver was taken to the hospital by Clute EMS where he was treated. The driver has since made a complete recovery.

Sgt. Hester showed an unwavering dedication to duty, and to his fellow man as once on the scene he never hestitated, but immediately jumped into the canal and started working on freeing the driver. If not for the actions of Sgt. Hester, there is no doubt that the driver would have drowned, due to the fact that although there were several people at the scene, none had made an attempt to free the driver. This is just one example of the caring that Sgt. Hester has for his fellow man, and his dedication to duty.

On a foot note, Sgt. Hester ran into the driver of the truck a few days ago, and the driver was over come with emotion, thanking Sgt. Hester for saving his life. Sgt. Hester is Christian, a fine officer, a true friend, a dedicated family man, and it is an honor to work with such a person as he.