The Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office is recognizing Deputy Dan Wolff for his quick thinking, keen observation and dedication to duty after his actions during a recent welfare check led to the discovery and rescue of a man who had been trapped inside a tanker for several hours.
On Aug. 18, 2026, at approximately 9:11 a.m., Deputy Wolff was responding to a welfare check. While traveling to the location, he noticed a tanker truck on the side of the roadway that appeared to be abandoned.
As he approached the area, Deputy Wolff encountered a water hose stretched across the roadway, causing him to slow down and take notice of the tanker. As he continued past the vehicle, he heard what initially sounded like someone calling for him to stop.
Rather than continuing to the welfare check, Deputy Wolff stopped to investigate. After hearing the call for help a second time, he determined the voice was coming from inside the tanker. Deputy Wolff then observed a man inside the tanker waving a blue shirt through an opening at the top of the tank, signaling for help. He quickly realized the individual was the same person he had been dispatched to locate during the welfare check.
The man told Deputy Wolff that he had fallen inside the tanker at approximately 8:30 p.m. the previous evening while attempting to wash it out. He had been unable to call for assistance and remained trapped inside the tanker throughout the night.
With temperatures inside the tanker increasing as the morning sun heated the trailer, Deputy Wolff immediately requested assistance from fire and medical personnel. Responding firefighters and medics successfully removed the man from the tanker. He was transported to Christus Bossier for medical evaluation and was reported to be in stable condition.
Deputy Wolff’s attentiveness and willingness to stop and investigate what could have otherwise been easily overlooked resulted in the discovery and rescue of a man who had been trapped for hours in increasingly dangerous conditions.
In recognition of his actions, Deputy Wolff was presented with the Sheriff’s Commendation Medal, an honor reserved for members of the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office who demonstrate exceptional dedication to duty, go above and beyond in service to the community, or take extraordinary action to protect or save a life.
Sheriff Julian Whittington said, “I’m proud of the way Deputy Wolff handled this situation. He volunteered to take the call, stayed alert to what was happening around him and took the time to investigate something that caught his attention. Because of his actions, we were able to get a citizen to safety. This is what serving our community is all about, being willing to step up, help someone in need and do whatever it takes to make a difference. Deputy Wolff earned this recognition, and I’m proud to present him with this award. His response reflects the professionalism, compassion and sense of responsibility that define the men and women who serve Bossier Parish each day.”
Thank you, Deputy Wolff, for representing the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office with professionalism and for demonstrating the commitment to community that we expect from every member of our team.
This is what service looks like.
Proud to serve. Proud to protect… Courteous, Professional, Responsive