A Zanesville police officer has been recognized for his life saving efforts during an assault early last month with one of the police department’s most prestigious honors.

Patrolman Jeremy Downing was one of the first to arrive at the scene of a stabbing at the corner of Green Avenue and McOwen Street the evening of Sept. 7.

When Downing arrived, he found a man profusely bleeding from his arm.

Using a tourniquet Downing purchased himself, the officer was able to stop the bleeding until medics arrived.

Responders from Community Ambulance and Genesis Hospital nominated Downing for The Life Saving Award, which is decided by supervisors within the police department.

Medics believed the man would have bled out had it not been for the tourniquet.

Downing said the man survived the assault.

According to the Zanesville Police Department, the suspect was arrested for simple assault after the incident was first investigated as a stabbing.

“He went above his normal calling for his job to save a life,” said Sgt. Kyle Brookover of the ZPD.