SANDPOINT — It was the final day of the third phase of Sandpoint Police Officer Heidi Barmore's field training when she received a call that would put her skills to the test.

Barmore found a woman in her car passed out with her head tilted back during a welfare check at the intersection of Division Avenue and Cedar Street. 

“It was a little scary,” Barmore recalled. “But we just, really quick, made sure the car was in park and pulled her out.” 

Barmore was quick to act, performing CPR for almost three minutes before emergency medical services arrived and took over. 

“That was the first time I’ve ever done CPR on somebody,” said Barmore. “I’ve had a CPR certificate for over 10 years, but that’s the first time I’ve ever used it.” 

The woman was transported to Bonner General Health, and Barmore later learned from medical staff that the woman had likely been experiencing, or was about to experience, a large cardiac incident and that her actions had saved the woman’s life. 

It wasn’t long after receiving that information that Barmore headed off to respond to another call. 

"We left the hospital and immediately went to another welfare check, so I didn't really process that for a while," said Barmore. 

Almost nine months since the incident, Barmore said the woman was able to return to work after making a full recovery. 

Barmore's actions that day earned her a rare recognition — one Sandpoint Chief Police Corey Coon said they "don't do very often" during the Sept. 16 Sandpoint City Council meeting. 

"It takes a pretty special occasion to get not only recognized sometimes but to get an award in law enforcement," said Coon before calling Barmore up to present the award. "Our job is to do extraordinary things in the sight of dangerous situations and so we've really worked harder on trying to improve in that area and recognize our officers when they do an outstanding job."

Although Barmore was one of the first to respond, she said the effort to save the woman’s life was a team effort. 

"I feel really honored to have gotten a lifesaving award," said Barmore. "My hands were the first hands that touched her, but how many hands made it possible for her to still be here?" 

The EMS, firefighters, nurses and doctors that assisted in the woman's recovery played just as important of a role, said Barmore. 

"They should all get lifesaving awards, too," said Barmore. 

Barmore, who has been a police officer for about a year and a half, always had her eye on the career, even as a young girl. 

"As a kid, I saved all of my police stickers," said Barmore, who now gives the stickers out to children herself. 

But toward the end of high school, that career path seemed unlikely. It seemed as though the only time Barmore would see female police officers was in the movies. 

"I'm not a man, so I'm not going to be jumping into that field," Barmore recalled thinking. 

It was only when Barmore was in her mid-30s when she decided to take a leap of faith and pursue the career she had always wanted. 

"I was like, 'You know what? I actually really want to do that,'" said Barmore, who had already been working at the police department for some time. 

To young girls who dream of following a similar path, Barmore wants them to know they can do it, too. 

"You're in a male-dominated field, and I feel really blessed to have the coworkers that I do have, they're like brothers," said Barmore. "You have to be tough, and you have to be brave and it's a rewarding job. I really enjoy it."