An off-duty Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) saved the life of an injured motorist after witnessing a major vehicle crash in Missouri over the weekend.

Curtland Sawyer was on the road when he saw the collision between a Chevrolet mini-SUV and an 18-wheelr near Festus, Mo., on July 11. He provided onsite medical care to the driver of the smaller vehicle by applying a tourniquet to his bleeding arm, preventing further blood loss and potential loss of life.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Tuesday commended Sawyer's actions, deeming him one of the "best of the best," in an apparent foil with the agency's "worst of the worst" roundups of illegal aliens.

“ICE law enforcement officer Curtland Sawyer immediately delivered lifesaving medical care to a driver who was involved in a serious collision with a tractor-trailer in Missouri. Officer Sawyer is a hero,” acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said in a statement. 

“Our officers are the best of the best. When they see someone in need, they don’t hesitate to spring to action to help. If you see an ICE law enforcement officer, thank them for their service to our nation," she added.

Sawyer's actions present a stark contrast to mounting scrutiny of ICE agents over a string of fatal altercations during their immigration enforcement efforts.

The agency has faced a litany of criticism from pro-immigration activists and Democratic lawmakers over the mass deportation efforts of the Trump administration.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent for Just the News. Follow him on X.