Federal Way police officer Julie Ann Benjert was honored April 10th by the American Red Cross as one of its 2008 "Everyday Heroes."

PEMCO Insurance sponsors the annual Police Rescue award.

On June 29, 2007, Federal Way Police Officers Stacy Eckert and JulieAnn Benjert were in Renton for training.

While driving back to work in horrible weather, they came upon a car accident.

A truck crossed the double yellow lines straight into oncoming traffic, slamming head-on into a van.

They saw right away it was serious, but although bystanders were frantic, no one was taking action.

The two officers weren't in uniform, but stopped to help.

One of the bystanders shouted to the officers that the passenger of the van was choking to death.

Officer Benjert saw that the man's seat belt had wrapped itself around his neck.

Immediately, she went to the cars held up behind the accident, looking for something to use to cut the seatbelt off. She returned with a pair of scissors that she used to free the man.

JulieAnn stayed with the man, trying to comfort him and treat his other injuries.

Eventually, the fire department used the "jaws of life" to extricate the victim, Nagah Girgis, and he was rushed to the emergency room.

Nagah Girgis survived the ordeal and is extremely thankful to JulieAnn for saving his life.

"I am so proud of what JulieAnn did and so proud to be her friend," said Officer Eckert.

Julie Ann Benjert is one of eighteen heroes who was honored at the Twelfth Annual Heroes Breakfast - "Everyday People, Everyday Heroes."