No matter how many times TNT reruns old episodes of "Law & Order" or David Caruso over-dramatically takes down a perp, real police officers are still unsung heroes. Whether it be through quick thinking, sharp shooting or general resourcefulness, our boys in blue put their lives on the line as they protect and serve, while rarely getting the type of praise afforded pretend Hollywood cops.

So for National Police Week, we've rounded up a few of the more mantastic feats of police bravery we could find. These guys are everyday heroes, who've stepped up at actual prime times.

Mantastic Police Heroes

    Cop Sits Up and Takes Out Parolee Gunman After Being Capped in Both Legs
    http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2007/sep/26/oxnard-officer-gets-top-medal-for-heroism/

    Steve Yeater, AP

    Officer uses swimming skill to save woman
    When rescue workers were having trouble reaching a 58-year old woman whose raft had been flipped by a branch that had now trapped her underwater, Boise police officer Brek Orton shed his ballistic vest and gunbelt and dove right in. He was able to use his strength to untangle the woman from the branch, and then swim her back through the current with her head held above water. Despite being submerged for several minutes, the unconscious woman survived the ordeal. http://www.cityofboise.org/Departments/Police/CommunityOutreachDivision/CommunityConnections/page26143.aspx

    idaho.gov

    Officer sacrifices his body for safety of others.
    Officer Jason Sakowskis was interviewing accident witnesses on a grassy embankment off the shoulder of 1-94 in Michigan, when he noticed a completely out-of-control car speeding towards the group. Sakowski was able to shove the three witnesses to safety, however couldnt get himself out of the way in time. Since he was knocked unconscious, Sakowski has no recollection of his selfless act, but he was able to watch the dashboard camera recording of his heroism after he recovered from his injuries.http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24757014/

    Richard Drew, AP

    Sharp-shooting cop prevents tragedy from getting even worse.
    It was one of the darkest days in music history Pantera and Damageplan guitarist Darrell Dimebag Abbott had been shot to death as he performed on stage at a Columbus, Ohio club. The gunman went on to kill three more, and had another man in a headlock when Officer James Niggemeyer came rushing in through the venues back door. Fearing the hostage was about to be executed, Niggemeyer took out Nathan Gale with a perfect shotgun blast to the head that left the hostage unharmed, and probably saved the lives of many more.http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,141029,00.html

    AP/Columbus Police Department

    Officer John Angle Mobile, Ala., Police Dept., Officer Angle, 39, pursued two burglars alone who shot at him 27 times with a high-powered rifle before they finally surrendered.

    Rob Carr, AP

    LA Cop Pulls Woman Out of Car as Nearby Transformer Explodes
    http://www.lapdonline.org/home/content_basic_view/27317

    Fredrick M. Brown, Getty Images

    Quick draw cop saves countless lives
    A shotgun wielding lunatic had already killed eight people in the Pine Lake Health and Rehabilitation Center in North Carolina when Cpl. Justin Garner entered the facility without backup or any idea what to expect. Almost immediately he spotted the murderer, who ignored his demand to drop his weapon, and instead pointed his gun right at the officer. Fortunately Garner was able to squeeze off a debilitating shot into Robert Stewarts chest, while Stewarts simultaneous shot only struck Garners foot. http://hottcops.blogspot.com/2009/04/hero-cop-who-took-down-gunman-very.html

    AP/Carthage Police Department

    Off Duty Cop With Pregnant Wife Stops Mall Shooting
    http://www.nleomf.com/TheFund/programs/OOM/hammond_apr07.htm

    Douglas Pizac, AP

    Wounded cop prevents catastrophe
    Shot five times by a shoplifting suspects boyfriend, Officer Marcus Youngs wounds were such that his right side was temporarily paralyzed and his left hand too injured to remove his gun from his holster. Yet he knew he had to do something as the out-of-ammo shooter headed towards Youngs patrol car, and the loaded shotgun it housed. So Young had an unarmed cadet trainee who had been riding with him un-holster his service revolver, and place it into his bleeding left hand. Then, despite his injuries, the hero cop was able to shoot down the perp before he reached the car. http://www.theiacp.org/About/Awards/PoliceOfficeroftheYear/2004PoliceOfficeroftheYear/tabid/287/Default.aspx

    discoverpolicing.com

    northjersey.com



For further heroic adventures in law enforcement, check out TruTV's top 5 heroic police moments.