Officer Commended for Saving Woman and Child

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — A Waterloo officer has been praised for his quick, cool action in preventing a woman from throwing herself and her 9-year-old son into the Cedar River.

Officer Tim Everett was given a commendation Tuesday for his actions the night of April 16.

Waterloo safety services director Daniel Trelka says Everett noticed a vehicle stopped on the Mullan Avenue bridge and then saw the woman struggling to pull the screaming boy down a trail toward the water. Everett says the boy later said she told him they were going to the river and then they were "going to heaven."

Trelka says Everett got the mom and boy to calm down while waiting for other officers.

She was taken away for observation. After release she was arrested on suspicion of child endangerment.