TSA recognizes Boise Airport officer for rescues on Boise River

BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recognized a local Boise Airport (BOI) TSA officer for his actions last summer when he helped rescue three people in distress floating the Boise River.

TSA Administrator David Pekoske presented BOI Lead TSA officer (LTSO) Gavin Gard with the national “In the Line of Duty” award this month at a ceremony in Arlington, Virginia. The agency commended LTSO Gard’s actions.

Last July, Gard was floating the Boise River with friends. While on the river, one of the members of his party slipped off her inner tube, which floated away. She grabbed a branch while the current tried to pull her underwater. The woman’s son spotted his mom in the river and attempted to help her.

Gard saw the two of them struggling, grabbed an inner tube and fought the river’s current to lead the woman to a safe area. Her son was able to make it to the bank of the river but was separated from her inner tube. Gard secured the release of the child’s inner tube from the branches so she could get to safety.

Finally, the friend’s father, who also floated the river, attempted to retrieve his wife’s inner tube and nearly went over a waterfall on the river. Gard assisted him and ensured he made it out of the river unharmed.

“LTSO Gavin Gard’s decisive and courageous actions, likely driven by adrenalin and innate skill, kept a day on the river from turning into a tragedy. We are grateful for people like LTSO Gard who see an opportunity to help and immediately act on their instincts,” said TSA Federal Security Director for Idaho Andy Coose. “It came as no surprise to me that Gavin stepped up and stepped into this situation. He is a humble and exemplary employee who carries out the TSA mission every day, volunteering to assist his co-workers whatever the task while ensuring security checkpoint operations run smoothly. The TSA team locally and nationwide salutes Gavin for his efforts.”

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