Stillwater Police officer credited with saving young man’s life


Media Release

A routine call to the Stillwater Police Department led to the lifesaving actions of Officer Tanner Galbiso on May 21.

Galbiso, who has been on the Stillwater force since 2017, and Sergeant Jeremiah Johnson responded to a disturbance in west Stillwater and found a young man slumped against a house, sitting in a pool of blood from a large wound to his right arm. His skin was pale and he was fading in and out of consciousness.

Without hesitation, Officer Galbiso located the arterial bleeding and applied a tourniquet to the man’s arm. Life Net transported the victim to the Stillwater Medical Center for treatment. The man had cut his arm after punching a window during the disturbance.

“Stillwater Medical Center reported to us that Officer Galbiso saved the young man’s life by his quick actions and accurate placement of a tourniquet,” said Stillwater Chief of Police Jeff Watts.

“All Stillwater Police officers are trained and equipped with the ability to use the tourniquet to save a life. Officer Galbiso’s actions represent the professional police service provided by the Stillwater Police Department to our residents,” Watts said. “We’re proud of Tanner’s work and congratulate him on saving a young man’s life.”

Galbiso’s supervisor has nominated him for the Stillwater Police Department’s Life-Saving Award.