South Dakota trooper James Tedder, a Georgia native, recognized for saving two people’s lives

WEBSTER, S.D. — An Edison, Ga., native who is a state trooper in South Dakota has been received recognition for his actions in the line of duty that saved two lives last year.

He is now one of four troopers in the United States up for the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)/Motorola Trooper of the Year award. The selection is scheduled to be announced this week.

Trooper James Tedder, with the Glacial Lakes Squad at the South Dakota Highway Patrol, is a graduate of Calhoun County High School and a former Marine. He was on a call last October when officers with the police department in Webster, S.D., recognized two people in a vehicle who were wanted on a combined 19 warrants.

An attempt to stop the vehicle failed as it traveled northward on Highway 25. Speeds got up to 100-110 mph. The pursuit went on for 20 miles before the vehicle went off the road and into water, where it submerged. The occupants got out and swam. About 50 yards from shore, it was evident they were in trouble.

Tedder followed along the shore line, giving them commands to come ashore. When they started to show signs of fatigue — both went underwater several times — Tedder took action.

“That time of year, it is really cold and really windy, and they were screaming for help,” Tedder said. “I took my duty belt and boots off and went” in to rescue them.

The pair were treated for hypothermia and Tedder was nominated for recognition. He later received a lifesaving award during a ceremony in December, and a sergeant nominated him for IACP/Motorola Trooper of the Year.

Tedder was selected to be South Dakota’s nominee for the Mountain Pacific Region of the IACP State and Provincial Division. He was selected by the Colonels of the Mountain Pacific Region to be its nominee for the IACP/Motorola Trooper of the Year.

The Mountain Pacific Region represents 13 states.

Tedder, along with three troopers from the other regions, will be honored Friday during the IACP State and Provincial Division Midyear Conference in Washington, D.C. Because of his selection as a finalist for Trooper of the Year and as representative of the Mountain Pacific Region, he earned a trip to Washington, where one of the four will be named IACP/Motorola Trooper of the Year.

Tedder served in the Marine Corps for eight years. He said law enforcement seemed like a natural transition.

“When I got out, I was looking for a sense of purpose,” he said. “I found that in law enforcement. I honestly believe what I do saves lives.”

This doesn’t just mean jumping into cold water. It could be giving out a speeding ticket or getting a drunk driver off the road.

“I think you eliminate some ‘what if’s’ when you do that,” he said.

In that particular moment, however, watching someone die in front of him was not an option.

“Combined with a high sense of morals, anybody who cares for human lives would have jumped in and tried to save (someone’s life),” he said. “I do believe I would do it again. I had to do something. If I didn’t, I believe that would have had more of an (impact) than trying and failing.

“I want to help somebody. I want to have a purpose in life.”

He said he felt “extremely humbled” to be honored in the way he has been.

“I’m grouped with three others across the country who have done wonderful things,” he said.