News

Reserve first sergeant saves life, earns award

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Jake Chappelle
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD FIELD, Wash. --  When an everyday citizen performs a heroic act in order to rescue a fellow human being, it's often a matter of life and death. Because of this, they're likely to receive some type of praise.

But when a person in the military or first-responder field executes an extraordinary deed to save another person, nine times out of 10, they'll most likely say they're, "just doing their job."

Senior Master Sgt. Liz Riser, 86th Aerial Port Squadron first sergeant here, is no exception to the rule.

Riser, who is also a full-time sheriff's deputy, received a Medal of Merit for going beyond the call of duty, in which her actions helped save a person's life. The medal was presented by her employer, the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, at its annual awards banquet in March 2013.

Her honor comes as no surprise to her squadron commander.

"She is not the type of person to just let things go- especially when it comes to helping another person," said Maj. Tony Edwards, 86th APS commander. "She is always concerned about the wellbeing of our Airmen. She wants to be sure we are doing right by them all of the time."

In September 2012, Riser was working the front desk at her precinct in Puyallup, Wash., when a woman showed up to file a missing-person report on her sister. Instinctively, Riser detected the matter would need a little more attention than usual.

Most people don't follow up much before filing a report, but this woman did, Riser, of Puyallup, said. She had contacted her sister's employer and checked area hospitals. It turned out her sister had a history of mental health concerns, which meant there would be a need to spend some time doing whatever it took to find her.

Riser said she checked the usual places including the woman's employer, jails, and hospitals. The woman hadn't been answering her phone either. The collected information at that point was enough to elevate the case into an emergency, allowing Riser to ping the missing woman's cellphone, as it was the next logical step, Riser added.

That step ended up being the most vital element of the search, allowing Riser to identify the woman's location.

"Pinging the cellphone revealed the woman was at a local motel," Riser, who has more than 20 years of law-enforcement experience, said. "I called the motel, but was told there was no guest registered under her name. I called Puyallup Police, as the motel was in their jurisdiction, and asked if they could check the parking lot for her car- the car was there."

The motel staff determined what room the missing woman was in and went to her room, but she didn't answer, according to Riser. She didn't answer phone calls either. Based on the information law enforcement provided to the motel staff, they entered the room and discovered the woman was unconscious.

"She had taken over 100 pills," Riser said. "She was rushed to the hospital and treated- her life was saved."

Riser explains how her Air Force and law-enforcement duties can be identical- specifically when it comes to aiding persons in need.

"Helping citizens and helping Airmen are the same, only with different clothing," she said. "No matter the uniform, I'm there to help support, mentor, respect, inform, and sometimes make decisions others don't want to, or can't, make."

"We all need help sometimes," she added. "We all know someone who has been affected by loss. That day, a family was saved from having to experience the loss and grief that suicide brings."

Her actions in her round-the-clock profession, along with her unrelenting care for her Airmen's welfare, reiterated Edwards' assurance with his right hand.

"When it's too far for her to check on someone, she sends other unit members who live closer to make sure they're alright," he said. "She's everything any commander would want in a first sergeant, and the actions she performed in her civilian job proved that."
Even with her leader's confidence, Riser's modesty is steadfast.

"I don't feel I did anything extraordinary," she said. "Cops save lives and do fantastic things every day. Spending the time to make a difference is very important to me. Sometimes a call or five extra minutes is all it takes. On that day, it made a difference."

Riser plans on reinforcing her first-sergeant prowess later this year, as she is lined up to deploy overseas.

"I look forward to doing my part."