Patrol Officer Christin Rudell

Indianapolis Metropolitan (IN) Police Department

Washington, DC—The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund has selected Patrol Officer Christin Rudell of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) as its Officer of the Month for April 2012.
On January 30, 2011, Officers Christin Rudell and Deanna Pulley responded to a report of an unruly female patron at a local bar. When they arrived on the scene to investigate, the bar staff identified the woman who was now sitting behind the wheel of her vehicle in the establishment’s parking lot. Officers Rudell and Pulley approached the vehicle from the rear, instructing the suspect to turn off the ignition and step out of the car.
Without warning, the suspect put the car in reverse and hit the gas. Officer Pulley was struck and run over by the vehicle, sustaining serious injuries and rendering her unable to move. Officer Rudell made several attempts to smash the driver’s side window in order to gain control of the vehicle and detain the suspect. Undeterred, the suspect ran over a helpless Officer Pulley a second time. Now fearing for the lives of her partner and bystanders, Officer Rudell discharged her firearm into the vehicle, striking the suspect multiple times.
Although injured, the suspect veered away from the officers and fled the scene. Officer Rudell radioed dispatch and provided a description of the suspect and her vehicle. She then turned her attention to Officer Pulley, administering first aid until emergency medical personnel arrived on the scene. The female suspect was apprehended by responding officers within a mile of the incident.
Officer Pulley spent eight days in intensive care and underwent multiple surgeries. She made a full recovery and returned to active duty within 10 months of the horrific incident. Officer Rudell suffered minor injuries to her left arm when she attempted to break the driver’s window.
Commander Ronald Hicks of the IMPD has firmly stated that he believes Officer Pulley survived the incident due to Officer Rudell’s immediate intervention. “Officer Rudell’s quick reaction to save the life of a fellow officer and protect the safety of the general public exemplifies exceptional heroism in the face of an extremely dangerous adversary whom had shown a particular disregard for the law and citizenry of Indianapolis.” Officer Rudell received the department’s Medal of Valor for her selfless actions on that January day.
Officer Rudell’s commitment to public service is well known throughout the department, and she works tirelessly to improve herself and her skills to better serve the citizens of her city. She is now completing a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Boston University, and in response to the growing Hispanic population in the community she serves, she applied and was accepted into an intensive Spanish Immersion training program. Officer Rudell has also completed the rigorous training program for the IMPD’s Bicycle Response Group (BRG) and regularly volunteers for supplemental details for this unit.
Located in the nation’s capital, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifice of America’s law enforcement officers. The Memorial Fund’s Officer of the Month Program began in September 1996 and recognizes federal, state and local officers who distinguish themselves through exemplary law enforcement service and devotion to duty.
Patrol Officer Chirstin Rudell, along with the other Officers of the Month for 2012, will be honored at a special awards luncheon in Washington, DC, in May 2013 during National Police Week. In addition, their stories of heroism and service will be featured in the Memorial Fund’s annual calendar.

The Police Unity Tour is the official sponsor of the Memorial Fund’s Officer of the Month Program.